<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>The aim of the study was to evaluate the QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus (QFT-Plus) test usability in the identification of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) in children and the determination of features associated with tuberculin skin test (TST) and QFT-Plus-positive results concerning LTBI. Two-hundred thirteen children aged 1–14 were screened for LTBI due to household contact with TB, suspected TB, or were qualified for biological therapy. The objective of this study was to evaluate the QFT-Plus affectivity as a diagnostic test in the absence of a gold standard (GS) test for the diagnosis of LTBI. The children were diagnosed with QFT-Plus, TST, and culture of TB. The QFT-Plus results were analyzed depending on the children’s age, TST size, and type. In children aged 1–4, the positive predictive value of QFT-Plus was 1, the negative predictive value was 0.94, QFT-Plus sensitivity was 75%, and specificity was 100%. It was observed that in children aged 5–14 years, the level of agreement decreased to the substantial, i.e., 87.2%. Moreover, the negative predictive value was 0.83. QFT-Plus sensitivity was 64%, and specificity was 100%. Statistical analysis of QFT-Plus and TST results showed substantial and almost perfect agreements. Our study suggests that QFT-Plus is helpful in a pediatric practice showing good sensitivity and specificity for LTBI. The BCG vaccine, infections, and concomitant morbidities do not affect QFT-Plus results.</p></abstract>

The aim of the study was to evaluate the QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus (QFT-Plus) test usability in the identification of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) in children and the determination of features associated with tuberculin skin test (TST) and QFT-Plus-positive results concerning LTBI. Two-hundred thirteen children aged 1–14 were screened for LTBI due to household contact with TB, suspected TB, or were qualified for biological therapy. The objective of this study was to evaluate the QFT-Plus affectivity as a diagnostic test in the absence of a gold standard (GS) test for the diagnosis of LTBI. The children were diagnosed with QFT-Plus, TST, and culture of TB. The QFT-Plus results were analyzed depending on the children’s age, TST size, and type. In children aged 1–4, the positive predictive value of QFT-Plus was 1, the negative predictive value was 0.94, QFT-Plus sensitivity was 75%, and specificity was 100%. It was observed that in children aged 5–14 years, the level of agreement decreased to the substantial, i.e., 87.2%. Moreover, the negative predictive value was 0.83. QFT-Plus sensitivity was 64%, and specificity was 100%. Statistical analysis of QFT-Plus and TST results showed substantial and almost perfect agreements. Our study suggests that QFT-Plus is helpful in a pediatric practice showing good sensitivity and specificity for LTBI. The BCG vaccine, infections, and concomitant morbidities do not affect QFT-Plus results.

QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus Test in Diagnostics of Latent Tuberculosis Infection in Children Aged 1–14 in a Country with a Low Tuberculosis Incidence

Polish Journal of Microbiology

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus (QFT-Plus) test usability in the identification of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) in...

QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus Test in Diagnostics of Latent Tuberculosis Infection in Children Aged 1–14 in a Country with a Low Tuberculosis Incidence

Article Category: original-paper

Published Online: Dec 06, 2021

Page range: 461 - 468

Received: Jul 22, 2021

Accepted: Oct 11, 2021

DOI: https://doi.org/10.33073/pjm-2021-042

Keywords
QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus, tuberculin skin test, latent tuberculosis infection, tuberculosis, children

© 2021 Dagmara Borkowska-Tatar et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus Test in Diagnostics of Latent Tuberculosis Infection in Children Aged 1–14 in a Country with a Low Tuberculosis Incidence

Article Category: original-paper

Published Online: Dec 06, 2021

Page range: 461 - 468

Received: Jul 22, 2021

Accepted: Oct 11, 2021

DOI: https://doi.org/10.33073/pjm-2021-042

KeywordsQuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus, tuberculin skin test, latent tuberculosis infection, tuberculosis, children

© 2021 Dagmara Borkowska-Tatar et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Keywords
QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus, tuberculin skin test, latent tuberculosis infection, tuberculosis, children