T-SPOT.TB
T-SPOT.TB is a type of blood test used to diagnose tuberculosis. The test is based on the ELISPOT technique, which measures the patient's immune response to antigens produced by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacterium that causes tuberculosis.
Overview
The T-SPOT.TB test is a type of interferon gamma release assay (IGRA), which measures the immune response to tuberculosis antigens in the blood. The test is used to diagnose both latent and active tuberculosis infections.
The test is named after the T cells that produce interferon gamma in response to the antigens. The "spot" in the name refers to the spots that form in the test plate when the T cells react to the antigens.
Procedure
The T-SPOT.TB test involves drawing blood from the patient and incubating it with tuberculosis antigens. If the patient's T cells recognize the antigens, they will produce interferon gamma, which can be detected by the test.
The test results are usually available within 24 hours. A positive result indicates that the patient has been infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, but it does not distinguish between latent and active infections.
Advantages and Limitations
The T-SPOT.TB test has several advantages over the traditional tuberculin skin test (TST). It is more specific, meaning it is less likely to give false positive results. It also does not require the patient to return for a second visit to read the results.
However, the test also has some limitations. It cannot distinguish between latent and active tuberculosis infections, and it may give false negative results in patients with weakened immune systems.
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