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Sir, the recent publication on QuantiFERON-TB (QFT-G) gold test is very interesting (1). The QFT-G and tuberculin skin test was assessed for its diagnos- tic value (1). The Sayarlioglu et al. concluded that
“the QFT-G test might be more useful for the diagno- sis of LTBI than tuberculin skin test in hemodialysis patients who are suspected to have LTB (1).” Indeed, it is no doubt that QFT-G is a new useful test for tu- berculosis. The result in this test repeatedly confirmed another recent published Turkish report (2). However, there are some concerns about this test. The cost of this test might be a big problem for resource limited setting comparing to tuberculin skin test (3). The va- lue of this test in filed investigation is also limited (4).
Also, the positivity of QFT-G is also affected by age (5). This has to be considered on its effect on diagnos- tic property of the test. As noted by Sayarlioglu et al., further studies on QFT-G for hemodialysis patients are required and the cost effectiveness study should be an important issue to be assessed (1).
CONFLICT of INTEREST None declared.
REFERENCES
1. Sayarlioglu H, Gul M, Eren Dagli C, Dogan E, Sahin M, Ucar MA, et al. QuantiFERON-TB Gold test for screening latent tuberculosis infection in hemodialysis patients.
Tuberk Toraks 2011; 59: 105-10.
2. Seyhan EC, Sokucu S, Altin S, Gunluoglu G, Trablus S, Yilmaz D, et al. Comparison of the QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube test with the tuberculin skin test for detec- ting latent tuberculosis infection in hemodialysis pati- ents. Transpl Infect Dis 2010; 12: 98-105.
3. Wiwanitkit V. QuantiFERON-TB gold test versus tubercu- lin skin test. Ann Thorac Med 2010; 5: 119.
4. Wiwanitkit V. Field QuantiFERON-TB gold test. Am J In- fect Control 2011; 39: 447.
5. Lee SS, Chou KJ, Dou HY, Huang TS, Ni YY, Fang HC, et al. High prevalence of latent tuberculosis infection in di- alysis patients using the interferon-gamma release assay and tuberculin skin test. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol 2010; 5:
1451-7.
QuantiFERON-TB Gold test and hemodialysis
Viroj WIWANITKIT
Wiwanitkit House, Bangkhae, Bangkok, Thailand.
Yazışma Adresi (Address for Correspondence):
Dr. Viroj WIWANITKIT, Wiwanitkit House, Bangkhae, 10160 BANGKOK - THAILAND
e-mail: wviroj@yahoo.com
