C L Chang1, E Y Lee, H C Son, S K Park. 1. Department of Clinical Pathology, College of Medicine, Pusan National University, Korea.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Early diagnosis of tuberculosis is crucial, especially in Korea, where tuberculosis is endemic. AIMS: To evaluate the validity of the ICT tuberculosis test (ICT) in early diagnosis of tuberculosis. METHODS: Sixty eight patients with tuberculosis were tested; 37 had no history of previous tuberculosis (patient group 1), and 31 had reactivated tuberculosis (patient group 2). The control groups comprised 77 subjects: 25 healthy adults, 35 hospital workers, and 17 inpatients with non-tuberculous respiratory diseases. RESULTS: The diagnostic sensitivities of ICT were 73% in patient group 1 and 87.1% in patient group 2. In two patients with extrapulmonary tuberculosis, both tested positive using ICT. The specificities of ICT were 88%, 94%, and 94% in healthy adults, hospital workers, and non-tuberculous patients, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: ICT is a useful tool for the diagnosis of tuberculosis.
BACKGROUND: Early diagnosis of tuberculosis is crucial, especially in Korea, where tuberculosis is endemic. AIMS: To evaluate the validity of the ICTtuberculosis test (ICT) in early diagnosis of tuberculosis. METHODS: Sixty eight patients with tuberculosis were tested; 37 had no history of previous tuberculosis (patient group 1), and 31 had reactivated tuberculosis (patient group 2). The control groups comprised 77 subjects: 25 healthy adults, 35 hospital workers, and 17 inpatients with non-tuberculous respiratory diseases. RESULTS: The diagnostic sensitivities of ICT were 73% in patient group 1 and 87.1% in patient group 2. In two patients with extrapulmonary tuberculosis, both tested positive using ICT. The specificities of ICT were 88%, 94%, and 94% in healthy adults, hospital workers, and non-tuberculouspatients, respectively. CONCLUSIONS:ICT is a useful tool for the diagnosis of tuberculosis.
Authors: Celine Gounder; Fernanda Carvalho De Queiroz Mello; Marcus B Conde; William R Bishai; Afrânio L Kritski; Richard E Chaisson; Susan E Dorman Journal: J Clin Microbiol Date: 2002-06 Impact factor: 5.948