文摘
BackgroundThe available diagnostic tools for latent tuberculosis (TB) infection (LTBI) via interferon-gamma (IFN-g) release assays (IGRA) are based on ESAT6:CFP10 stimulation. However, the mycobacterial antigen PstS1 is also highly immunogenic and some of its fragments, such as PstS1b>(285–374)b>, have shown higher immunoreactivity in LTBI than in active TB. PstS1b>(285–374)b>, therefore, could increase the accuracy of the existing IGRA to detect LTBI. Thus, a new chimeric protein has recently been developed (PstS1b>(285–374)b>:CFP10) showing potential for LTBI screening of recent close contacts (rCt) exposed to Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The aim of this study was to analyze the PstS1b>(285–374)b>:CFP10 longitudinal IFN-g profile in comparison to ESAT6:CFP10 and full PstS1/CFP10 stimulation in a rCt cohort and correlate the responses to these in-house IGRA with any clinical changes/interventions that might occur.
