The authors of a recent peer-reviewed study published in the International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease confirmed the high specificity of the T-SPOT.TB assay. Researchers from the Naval Institute for Dental and Biomedical Research, Great Lakes, Illinois, USA tested individuals who had recently graduated from the Recruit Training Command (Great Lakes, IL).

278 individuals categorized as being low risk for TB infection were tested, only 3 were positive for TB according to the T-SPOT.TB test. The resulting specificity of the T-SPOT.TB test is 98.9% (95%CI 96.9-99.8).

Commenting on the results, Dr. Peter Wrighton-Smith, Chief Executive Officer of Oxford Immunotec said, 'this study highlights the very high specificity of the T-SPOT.TB assay and confirms its utility in the identification of latent TB infection. The high specificity of the T-SPOT.TB assay virtually eliminates false positive results in subjects who are not infected, thereby avoiding unnecessary follow up and treatment. This will dramatically improve the cost-effectiveness of TB control strategies'.

Reference:

1. Bienek DR and Chang CK. Evaluation of an interferon-gamma release assay, T-SPOT®.TB, in a population with a low prevalence of tuberculosis. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis. 2009 Nov;13(11):1416-21.