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The sensitivity of an interferon-gamma assay (Quantiferon-TB Gold; Cellestis) was evaluated for the detection of tuberculosis among 242 persons with suspected tuberculosis in San Francisco, California. Thirty-seven subjects had culture-confirmed tuberculosis. Excluding 1 indeterminate result, 23 (64%; 95% confidence interval, 48%-78%) of 36 subjects had positive results using the QuantiFERON-TB Gold assay. The 64% sensitivity suggests that the QuantiFERON-TB Gold assay should not be used alone to exclude active tuberculosis.
Dewan et al. (Fri,) studied this question.