The clinical application value of interferon gamma release assays for diagnosis of latent tuberculosis infection in children

[Objective]To evaluate the clinical value of interferon gamma release assays(IGRA)diagnosis of latent tuberculosis infection in early childhood.[Method]During the same period,33 pediatric patients with latent tuberculosis infection and45 pediatric patients with active tuberculosis infection were selected,with30 healthy children as a control group.IGRA,tuberculin skin test(TST)and sputum smear analysis were performed.The positive rates of different methods were compared.[Result]In latent tuberculosis group,the positivity was 84.85% by IGRA,which was significantly higher than TST and sputum smear test results(P0.05).In active tuberculosis infection group,the positivity was 86.67% by IGRA,which was significantly higher than TST and sputum smear test results(P0.05).[Conclusion]Latent tuberculosis infection diagnosis by IGRA has high sensitivity and specificity.IGRA has important clinical value and can be used as one important way to latent tuberculosis infection diagnosis.