Authors' objectives: The objective of this systematic review was to assess the effectiveness and economic as well as organizational implication of T.SPOT.TB in the diagnosis of latent tuberculosis.

Authors' recommendations: From the above review it was found that both IGRAs tests (T.SPOT.TB and QFT-GIT) have lower sensitivity but higher specificity for diagnosing latent TB infection. There was moderate level of evidence to show that T-SPOT.TB, but not TST, was able to identify those individuals who had been occupationally exposed to smear-positive TB patients. This suggests that in a high TB burden health-care setting TSPOT.TB may provide an accurate, targeted method of diagnosing LTBI. In patients with SLE, those receiving corticosteroids (irrespective of dose) and/or other immunosuppressive drugs, the result of the TST can be affected, increasing the number of false negatives. In these cases, T.SPOT.TB test may be the diagnostic technique of choice. Given that both tests (T.SPOT.TB and QFT-GIT) have modest predictive value and suboptimal sensitivity, the decision to use either test should be based on country guidelines and resources as well as logistic considerations.

Project Status: Completed

Year Published: 2014

URL for published report: http://www.moh.gov.my/index.php/database_stores/store_view_page/30/254

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: Malaysia

Organisation Name: Malaysian Health Technology Assessment

Contact Address: Malaysian Health Technology Assessment Section, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Federal Government Administrative Centre, Level 4, Block E1, Parcel E, 62590 Putrajaya Malaysia Tel: +603 8883 1229

Contact Name: htamalaysia@moh.gov.my

Contact Email: htamalaysia@moh.gov.my

Copyright: Malaysian Health Technology Assessment (MaHTAS)