Evaluation of T cell spot test in tuberculosis infection in tuberculosis diagnosis

Abstract

Objective To explore the clinical value of T cell spot test in tuberculosis infection (T-SPOT.TB) in the diagnosis of tuberculosis. Methods Based on the samples of 2 016 cases who were taken T-SPOT.TB, methods of sputum smears, sputum Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) cultures and nucleic acid detection in MTB (MTB DNA) were performed. The positive detection rates and conduct consistency evaluation in these four methods were compared. Results The positive detection rates of sputum smear, MTB culture, MTB DNA and T-SPOT.TB were 9.6%, 14.8%, 20.8% and 43.3%, respectively. The consistency evaluation among T-SPOT.TB and the other three methods were all Kappa<0.40, and the consistency was poor. Conclusions T-SPOT.TB has a high positive immunological detection rate, and can be used as an assistant method in diagnosis of tuberculosis. Key words: Tuberculosis; Diagnosis; T cell spot test