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 PstS1(285–374), have shown higher immunoreactivity in LTBI than in active TB. PstS1(285–374), therefore, could increase the accuracy of the existing IGRA to detect LTBI. Thus, a new chimeric protein has recently been developed (PstS1(285–374):CFP10) showing potential for LTBI screening of recent close contacts (rCt) exposed to Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The aim of this study was to analyze the PstS1(285–374):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.