Is Tuberculin Skin Testing Effective in Screening for Latent Tuberculosis in Patients With HIV?

Is Tuberculin Skin Testing Effective in Screening for Latent Tuberculosis in Patients With HIV?

HIV infection highly increases the risk of progression of latent tuberculosis (TB) to active disease that therapy is recommended for all PPD-positive, HIV-infected patients, regardless of age. Sensitivity of the PPD testing is, however, dependent on a normal T cell function.

Therefore, an accurate and reliable method for detection of latent tuberculosis in patients with HIV is urgently needed.

This prospective study will examine the utility of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) based assay, T-SPOT.TB,for detection of TB in HIV-infected individuals.

Inclusion Criteria

• adult individuals with confirmed HIV infection

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients who are on INH treatment
• Patients who have a positive PPD test within 1 year of study enrollment
• Individuals with blistering or ulcerating skin disorder
• Pregnant women
• Patients who were given blood transfusion within 6 weeks prior to enrollment