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Molecular Diagnosis & Therapy

01-02-2015 | Systematic Review

A Systematic Review on TST and IGRA Tests Used for Diagnosis of LTBI in Immigrants

Authors: Jonathon R. Campbell, Jane Krot, Kevin Elwood, Victoria Cook, Fawziah Marra

Published in: Molecular Diagnosis & Therapy | Issue 1/2015

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Abstract

Background

High immigration rates from tuberculosis (TB) endemic countries to low-incidence countries have caused new TB guidelines in these countries to reconsider latent TB infection (LTBI) screening in these immigrants.

Objectives

We performed a systematic review with the primary outcome of evaluating the number of cases recommended LTBI treatment with the tuberculin skin test (TST) or interferon gamma release assay (IGRA). Secondary objectives were to examine prevalence of positive LTBI diagnostic tests stratified by age and incidence of TB in country of origin.

Methods

We performed a systematic search of seven electronic databases for studies assessing TST and/or IGRA performance in immigrant populations to low incidence countries. Demographics, LTBI diagnosis, longitudinal TB development, and test result data were the primary data extracted from the studies. Prevalence of positive test data was stratified by age and country of origin. Studies were evaluated using a modified SIGN checklist for diagnostic studies. Data was compared using Fisher’s exact test or χ 2 test, where appropriate.

Results

Our literature search yielded 51 studies (n = 34 TST, n = 9 IGRA, n = 8 both). Recommendation of LTBI treatment was less common in those tested with an IGRA compared to TST (p < 0.0001), while long-term development of active TB appears higher in those with a positive IGRA. There was no difference in the sensitivity and specificity of the IGRA and TST for prevalent TB (p > 0.05). Prevalence of a positive test was significantly lower in those who were <18 years of age compared to those ≥18 years of age (p < 0.0001) and those from low TB incidence countries compared to high incidence countries (p < 0.0001) for both TST and IGRA. When comparing the two tests within the 2 subgroups: age and TB incidence in country of origin, the prevalence of positive results was significantly lower for the IGRA than the TST (p < 0.0001).

Limitations

The number of available studies evaluating the IGRA and longitudinal active TB development in those tested limits this study.

Conclusion

Prevalence of positive test results were significantly lower in immigrants who were tested with an IGRA, resulting in fewer immigrants being recommended for LTBI treatment compared to TST. Coupled with comparable performance for detecting prevalent TB cases, the IGRA appears to exhibit better specificity than the TST and may be preferred as the standard of care for detecting LTBI in immigrants moving to low TB incidence countries.
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Metadata
Title
A Systematic Review on TST and IGRA Tests Used for Diagnosis of LTBI in Immigrants
Authors
Jonathon R. Campbell
Jane Krot
Kevin Elwood
Victoria Cook
Fawziah Marra
Publication date
01-02-2015
Publisher
Springer International Publishing
Published in
Molecular Diagnosis & Therapy / Issue 1/2015
Print ISSN: 1177-1062
Electronic ISSN: 1179-2000
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s40291-014-0125-0
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