A toolbox for tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis: an Indian multi-centric study (2006-2008); evaluation of serological assays based on PGL-Tb1 and ESAT-6/CFP10 antigens for TB diagnosis.

Background: The aim of this multi-centric prospective study in India was to assess the accuracy of a serological test as an additional tool for diagnosing active tuberculosis (ATB). In particular, an assay based on ELISA using a phenolic glycolipid (PGL-Tb1) or a fusion protein (ESAT-6/CFP10) was compared to the tuberculin skin test (TST) and the microbiological results according to HIV status.

Methods: Individuals with and without ATB and HIV infection were enrolled.

A toolbox for tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis: an Indian multicentric study (2006-2008). Evaluation of QuantiFERON-TB gold in tube for TB diagnosis.

Background: The aim of this multicentric prospective study in India was to assess the performance of the QuantiFERON TB-Gold in tube (QFT-GIT), Tuberculin Skin Test (TST) and microbiological results as additional tools for diagnosing active tuberculosis (TB) and latent infection (LTBI) according to Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) status.

Methods: Individuals with and without active TB and HIV infection were enrolled between 2006-2008. QFT-GIT and TST results were analyzed per se and in combination with microbiological data.

A toolbox for tuberculosis diagnosis: an Indian multicentric study (2006-2008): microbiological results.

Background: The aim of this multicentric prospective study in India was to assess the value of several microbiological tools that contribute to the diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) according to HIV status.

Methods: Standard microbiological tools on individual specimens were analyzed.

Results: Among the 807 patients with active TB, 131 were HIV-infected, 316 HIV-uninfected and 360 had HIV-unknown status.

Is IP-10 an accurate marker for detecting M. tuberculosis-specific response in HIV-infected persons?

Background: The suboptimal sensitivity of Interferon (IFN)-γ-based in-vitro assays, especially in immunocompromised individuals, emphasizes the need for alternative markers for diagnosing tuberculosis (TB). The objective of this study was to evaluate whether interferon-inducible protein (IP)-10, monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-2 and interleukin (IL)-2 can be useful biomarkers for evaluating a specific response to RD1 antigens associated to active TB disease in HIV-infected individuals.

Methodology/principal Findings: The study was carried out in India, the country with the highest TB burden in the world.

IFN-gamma, but not IP-10, MCP-2 or IL-2 response to RD1 selected peptides associates to active tuberculosis.

Objectives: To evaluate whether in vitro response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis RD1 peptides selected by computational analysis, measured by IFN-gamma, IP-10, MCP-2 or IL-2 production, is associated with active tuberculosis (TB) in a country with a high incidence of TB.

Methods: 129 individuals were prospectively enrolled, 41 with active-pulmonary TB and 88 without (household contacts and community controls). A whole blood assay based on RD1 selected peptides was performed.