Values of the Release Assay and Tuberculin Skin Test of Interferon Gamma in Diagnosis of Negative Pulmonary Tuberculosis in Cultured Sputum Bacterium

Objective To compare the values of the release assay( IGRAs) and tuberculin skin test( TST) of interferon gamma in auxiliary diagnosis of negative pulmonary tuberculosis in cultured sputum bacterium. Methods A total of 230 pulmonary tuberculosis inpatients( TB group) with negative sputum bacterium and 200 healthy people taking physical examination( control group) from January to December 2013 were tested with IGRAs and TST using T-spot. TB kit. The detection rates of the two methods were compared. Results The detection rate of IGRAs in TB group was significantly higher than those in control group and TST in TB group( P 0. 05). Conclusion The interferon gamma release assay is more sensitive in detection of negative pulmonary tuberculosis than tuberculin skin test,and can be used in auxiliary diagnosis of negative pulmonary tuberculosis in cultured sputum bacterium.