[New tools for a better diagnosis of latent tuberculosis infection]. / Nuovi strumenti per una migliore diagnosi dell'infezione tubercolare latente.

ABSTRACT

Two new blood tests are today available for diagnosing latent tuberculosis infection. Both tests are based on the release of interferon-gamma from M. tuberculosis-specific T cells. These tests, QuantiFERON-TB Gold and T-SPOT.TB, are certainly more specific compared to the tuberculin skin test, and possibly more sensitive in some subgroups of patients; they might represent a crucial tool for tuberculosis control and elimination.