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The Predictive Value of the ELISpot-Based Interferon-[ggr ]–Release Assay for Tuberculosis Disease
- Anneke C. Hesseling, MD, MSc;
- Robert P. Gie, MD; and
- Anna M. Mandalakas, MD, MSc
- From Stellenbosch University, Matieland 7602, South Africa, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106.
TO THE EDITOR:
Prospective cohort studies are important to investigate the predictive utility of tuberculosis diagnostic tests in at-risk populations. We commend Bakir and colleagues (1) for their efforts to investigate the predictive value of the enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISpot)–based interferon-γ–release assay (IGRA) for pediatric tuberculosis disease. Bakir and colleagues conclude that although ELISpot did not predict disease progression significantly better than the tuberculin skin test (TST) (ELISpot, 20.5 per 1000 person-years [95% CI, 10.2 to 36.7]; TST, 16.6 per 1000 person-years [CI, 8.6 to 29.0]), ELISpot could allow for more focused targeting of isoniazid preventive therapy. A thoughtful review …
