<abstract xml:lang="en" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>Tuberculosis is still one of the major global public health threats. Countries with low incidence must focus on exhausting the reservoir of future cases by preventing reactivation. Therefore, it is important to identify and effectively treat those individuals who have latent tuberculosis infection and who may develop active disease. The tuberculin skin test has been the standard for detection of immune response against <italic>M. tuberculosis</italic> since the beginning of the 20<sup>th</sup> century. The new millennium has brought advancement in the diagnosis of latent tuberculosis infection. The name of the new blood test is interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA). Croatia is a middle-incidence country with a long decreasing trend and developed tuberculosis control. To reach low incidence and finally eliminate tuberculosis, its tuberculosis programme needs a more aggressive approach that would include intensive contact investigation and treatment of persons with latent tuberculosis infection. This article discusses the current uses of IGRA and its role in tuberculosis control.</p></abstract>

Tuberculosis is still one of the major global public health threats. Countries with low incidence must focus on exhausting the reservoir of future cases by preventing reactivation. Therefore, it is important to identify and effectively treat those individuals who have latent tuberculosis infection and who may develop active disease. The tuberculin skin test has been the standard for detection of immune response against M. tuberculosis since the beginning of the 20th century. The new millennium has brought advancement in the diagnosis of latent tuberculosis infection. The name of the new blood test is interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA). Croatia is a middle-incidence country with a long decreasing trend and developed tuberculosis control. To reach low incidence and finally eliminate tuberculosis, its tuberculosis programme needs a more aggressive approach that would include intensive contact investigation and treatment of persons with latent tuberculosis infection. This article discusses the current uses of IGRA and its role in tuberculosis control.

The Role of Interferon-gamma Release Assay in Tuberculosis Control

Teaching Public Health Institute of Split and Dalmatia County, School of Medicine University of Split, Split

Croatian National Institute of Public Health Zagreb

Department of pulmonary diseases, and School of Medicine University of Split, Split University Hospital, Split, Croatia

Archives of Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology

{"article-title":"The Role of Interferon-gamma Release Assay in Tuberculosis Control"}

Tuberculosis is still one of the major global public health threats. Countries with low incidence must focus on exhausting the reservoir of future cases by...

The Role of Interferon-gamma Release Assay in Tuberculosis Control

Published Online: Mar 26, 2012

Page range: 49 - 59

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/10004-1254-63-2012-2134

Keywords
Hrvatska, ELISpot, latentna tuberkulozna infekcija, QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube, tuberkulinski kožni test

This content is open access.

The Role of Interferon-gamma Release Assay in Tuberculosis Control

Published Online: Mar 26, 2012

Page range: 49 - 59

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/10004-1254-63-2012-2134

KeywordsHrvatska, ELISpot, latentna tuberkulozna infekcija, QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube, tuberkulinski kožni test

This content is open access.

Keywords
Hrvatska, ELISpot, latentna tuberkulozna infekcija, QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube, tuberkulinski kožni test