This specific blood test aids in detecting Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacteria responsible for tuberculosis (TB). It measures the immune system’s response to TB by assessing the release of interferon-gamma (IFN-) after blood samples are exposed to specific TB antigens. A positive outcome suggests likely TB infection, while a negative outcome generally indicates the absence of infection. An indeterminate outcome may necessitate further investigation.
Offering advantages over the traditional tuberculin skin test (TST), this diagnostic method provides more specific results, reducing the likelihood of false positives caused by prior BCG vaccination or exposure to non-tuberculous mycobacteria. Its faster processing time allows for quicker diagnosis and treatment initiation, critical for containing the spread of TB. The development and refinement of this blood test represent a significant advancement in TB diagnostics, contributing to global efforts in TB control and eradication.