Interferon Gamma Release Assay for Identifying Latent Tuberculosis Infection in People With Bacillus Calmette-Guérin Vaccination

Details

Files
Project Status:
Completed
Project Line:
Health Technology Review
Project Sub Line:
Summary with Critical Appraisal
Project Number:
RC1346-000

Question

  1. What is the clinical utility of the interferon gamma release assay for identifying latent tuberculosis infection in people with previous Bacillus Calmette-Guérin vaccination?
  2. What are the evidence-based guidelines regarding the identification of latent tuberculosis infection in people with previous Bacillus Calmette-Guérin vaccination?

Key Message

In people who have been vaccinated with Bacillus Calmette-Guérin, the interferon gamma release assay appears to be related to fewer diagnoses for latent tuberculosis infection, fewer prescriptions of preventive tuberculosis therapy, and no difference in the number of active TB cases compared to the tuberculin skin test (findings based on 1 [non-randomized study] of low quality). No evidence-based guidelines were found regarding the identification of latent tuberculosis infection in people with previous Bacillus Calmette-Guérin vaccination.