WHAT IS TB QUANTIFERON TEST?
It is a new BLOOD test for screening for active tuberculosis or latent TB (LTBI).
It replaces the skin tests e.g. Heaf and Mantoux.

WHAT ADVANTAGES DOES IT HAVE OVER SKIN TESTS?
• The test is unaffected by BCG status unlike the skin test.
• It is an objective test and eliminates observer error in reading the skin changes.
• It is highly specific for true TB infection.(99.8% specificity).
• It is significantly more sensitive than mantoux testing.
• Only one patient visit is required – no second visit for reading the skin test,
thereby improving compliance.

WHAT CAN IT BE USED FOR?
The test will detect both latent and active TB including non-pulmonary TB
WHAT IS THE REQUIREMENT FOR TESTING?
Blood samples must be collected using specific vacuum tubes that are provided by
the laboratory. Samples must reach the laboratory within 16 hours (MAX) of
drawing the sample for incubation and processing.

WHAT ARE THE SETTINGS IN WHICH TB QUANTIFERON CAN BE RELEVANT?
• Screening of health workers for TB.
• Contacts investigation
• Evaluation of recent immigrants with BCG vaccination.
• Evaluation of suspected cases of extra pulmonary TB.
Other tests…
• What additional tests are available at PathCare Nigeria to help in the
Diagnosis and Management of Tuberculosis Patients?
• TB culture
• TB PCR
• Tb culture and sensitivity