The interferon-gamma-release assays were developed to overcome the pitfalls and logistic difficulties of the tuberculin skin test (TST) for the diagnosis of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). These blood tests measure the in vitro production of interferon-gamma by sensitized lymphocytes in response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis-specific antigens. Two interferon-gamma-release assays are regis...

OBJECTIVE To assess the current served available market of tuberculosis (TB) diagnostics in South Africa in the public and private sectors. DESIGN Public and private sector test volumes and unit costs were collected for tuberculin skin tests, interferon-gamma release assays, smear microscopy, culture, speciation, Xpert MTB/RIF, other nucleic acid amplification tests, drug susceptibility testi...

The last decade has witnessed significant advances in mycobacterial genomics and cellular research which have resulted in the development of two new blood tests, the enzyme-linked immunospot assay (ELISpot) (TSPOT.TB, Oxford Immunotec, Oxford, UK) and the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) (QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube, Cellestis, Carnegie, Australia). These tests, which are collectively ...

BACKGROUND IL-6 is a pro-inflammatory cytokine which has many well-defined effects. Its synthesis and release from mononuclear cells of drug-sensitized patients was related before to in vitro drug-allergy diagnostics but has not yet been studied in detail. METHODS The specific release of preformed IL-6 from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) after 20 minutes incubation with 0.15-0.5 μM...

Although the tuberculin skin test has long been the standard for detecting latent tuberculosis infection, it has many limitations. Interferon-gamma-release assays are gaining acceptance as an alternative. In this paper we present cases to illustrate how these new tests can be used and how to interpret the results.

T-cells are involved in the pathogenesis of cutaneous drug reactions. T-cell phenotype and cytokine release pattern in rivo and in vitro might correlate with the type of immune response involved in cutaneous drug reactions. In vitro release of interferon-gamma and macrophage migration inhibition factor (MIF) from peripheral blood lymphocytes, following in vitro challenge with the suspected unmo...