Limitations of the QuantiFERON-TB Gold test in detecting Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in immunocompromised patients.

Eur J Intern Med · 2008

case_report · Level V

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Abstract

Four cases are presented, immunosuppressed by at least three different mechanisms: one HIV-positive patient with a CD4 count of 0.29 x 10(6)/ml, one malnourished patient, and two kidney-transplanted patients. All patients had a negative interferon (IFN)-gamma test for suspected tuberculosis (TB), but a positive culture. We conclude that a negative IFN-gamma test does not exclude TB disease in immunosuppressed patients.