Boosting effect of IL-7 in interferon gamma release assays to diagnose Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection.

BACKGROUND A quarter of the world's population is estimated to be infected with Myobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). Infection is detected by immune response to M. tuberculosis antigens using either tuberculin skin test (TST) and interferon gamma release (IGRA's), tests which have low sensitivity in immunocompromised. IL-7 is an important cytokine for T-cell function with potential to augment cytokine release in in-vitro assays. This study aimed to determine whether the addition of IL-7 in interferon-gamma release assays (IGRAs) improves its diagnostic performance of Mtb infection. METHODS 44 cases with confirmed TB and 45 household contacts without TB were recruited and 1ml of blood was stimul…