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Nonghanphithak D, Reechaipichitkul W, Chaiyasung T, Faksri K. Risk factors for latent tuberculosis infection among healthcare workers in northeastern Thailand. Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Heal 2016; 47: 1198-208.

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Article

Diagnosis of Latent Tuberculosis Infection Using Interferon-gamma Release Assay and Interleukin-2 among Healthcare Workers

1Infection Prevention & Control Department, Dr Erfan and Bagedo General Hospital, Saudi Arabia

22Microbiology Department, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Egypt

3Chemical Pathology Department, Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University, Egypt

4Chest Diseases Department, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Egypt

5Internal Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Egypt


American Journal of Epidemiology and Infectious Disease. 2022, Vol. 10 No. 1, 1-6
DOI: 10.12691/ajeid-10-1-1
Copyright © 2022 Science and Education Publishing

Cite this paper:
Azza A Khattab, Amira Amine, Laila El-Attar, Ahmed Tork, Alaa Eldin Ali Abdallah, Heba Elshair. Diagnosis of Latent Tuberculosis Infection Using Interferon-gamma Release Assay and Interleukin-2 among Healthcare Workers. American Journal of Epidemiology and Infectious Disease. 2022; 10(1):1-6. doi: 10.12691/ajeid-10-1-1.

Correspondence to: Azza  A Khattab, Infection Prevention & Control Department, Dr Erfan and Bagedo General Hospital, Saudi Arabia. Email: khattabaz@gmail.com

Abstract

Background: Latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) that could be converted to active TB constitutes a major public health problem. LTBI diagnosis is based on TST and/or IGRA. Serum IL-2 may help LTBI diagnosis. Objectives: Current study aimed to estimate the prevalence of LTBI among healthcare workers (HCWs), and to test the agreement between IGRA and IL-2 assay for detection of LTBI. Methods: The study was carried in chest hospitals in Egypt, 89 HCWs were included. Detailed medical history was obtained, and a blood sample was collected to measure IFN-γ and IL-2. Results: High prevalence of LTBI was detected among HCWs (41.57%). This was significantly associated with older age and longer duration of work. Doctors were less exposed to the risk of LTBI. Assessing IL-2 results using ROC curve: AUC was 0.984, optimal cut-off value =13.81 pg/ml, with a sensitivity of 94.59% and 100% specificity. IL-2 responses were higher among participants with LTBI compared to No TB. Conclusions: A high prevalence of LTBI was observed among HCWs. Older age and longer duration of work were associated with higher risk. IL-2/IFN-γ ratios may improve the ability of IGRA to identify individuals with LTBI and those at increased risk of conversion to active disease.

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