The performance of a new rapid interferon gamma release assay based on fluorescence immunochromatography for infection testing in village doctors in China.

The AIMTB rapid test assay is an emerging test, which adopted a fluorescence immunochromatographic assay to measure interferon-γ (IFN-γ) production following stimulation of effector memory T cells in whole blood by mycobacterial proteins. The aim of this article was to explore the ability of AIMTB rapid test assay in detecting (MTB) infection compared with the widely applied QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus (QFT-Plus) test among rural doctors in China. In total, 511 participants were included in the survey.

Agreement between Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigen-based skin test and interferon-gamma release assay in elderly individuals aged ≥65 years in China.

Objectives: To determine the agreement of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) antigen-based skin test (TBST) with interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) in the elderly individuals aged ≥65 years beyond instruction for use in China.

Methods: Based on the baseline survey of a randomized controlled trial with the objective of exploring suitable regimens for tuberculosis(TB) preventive treatment, MTB infection was tested using TBST and IGRA in parallel in rural residents aged 50-70 years using a cross-sectional study design.

Results: A total of 21 219 participants with both TBST and IGRA results were included in this analysis.

Cost-effectiveness of latent tuberculosis infection testing and treatment with 6-week regimen among key population in rural communities in China: a decision analysis study.

Purpose: Several model studies suggested the implementation of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) testing and treatment could greatly reduce the incidence of tuberculosis (TB) and achieve the 2035 target of the "End TB" Strategy in China. The present study aimed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of LTBI testing and TB preventive treatment among key population (≥ 50 years old) susceptible to TB at community level in China.

Methods: A Markov model was developed to investigate the cost-effectiveness of LTBI testing using interferon gamma release assay (IGRA) and subsequent treatment with 6-month daily isoniazid regimen (6H) (as a standard regimen for comparison) or 6-week twice-weekly rifapentine and isoniazid regimen (6-week HP) in a cohort of 10,000 adults with an average initial age of 50 years.

CD8 T cell response in QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus testing was associated with tuberculosis recurrence: a 2-year prospective study.

Background: Recurrence posed an important challenge to pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) control in China. The prospective study aimed to identify potential risk factors and to explore the value of QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus (QFT-Plus) in identifying at-risk individuals with treated prior PTB history.

Methods: All eligible individuals aged ≥18 years who had been diagnosed with PTB before 2016 in Zhongmu County, where with an average level of TB prevalence in China, were included and received baseline survey including chest radiography, QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube (QFT-GIT) and QFT-Plus, then PTB recurrence was tracked through a 2-year follow-up.

Impact of fine particulate matter on latent tuberculosis infection and active tuberculosis in older adults: a population-based multicentre cohort study.

Evidence showed that air pollution was associated with an increased risk of tuberculosis (TB). This study aimed to study the impact of long-term exposure to ambient particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 μm (PM) on the acquisition of LTBI and on the risk of subsequent active disease development among rural older adults from a multicentre cohort, which have not yet been investigated to date.

Can Reflux Symptom Index and Reflux Finding Score Be Used to Guide the Treatment of Secretory Otitis Media in Adults?

Background: At present more attention is paid to the treatment of secretory otitis media in children, but there is also a high incidence of adult patients. The etiology of secretory otitis media in adults is complex and related to many factors.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between the Reflux Symptom Index (RSI)/Reflux Finding Score (RFS) and secretory otitis media in adults, and to explore further treatment methods.