Abstract
To evaluate the activity of tuberculosis, 34 consecutive samples were examined using interferon-γ release assays (IGRA) and Mycobacterium culture examination. The results of culture IGRA was +/+ in 14 patients, +/ intermediate in 5 patients, +/− in 2 patients (both receiving anticancer treatment), −/+ in 3 patients (M. avium, MAC, and M. intracellulare were identified), −/− in 8 patients, intermediate in one patient, and indeterminate in one patient. Since many samples were indeterminate, the following experiments were performed. The value M showed the same results after the concentration of monocytes, decreased with longer incubation after challenging, and decreased after challenging with a double amount of antigen. The activity of tuberculosis should be determined comprehensively by the optical absorbance of ESAT-6, CFP-10, negative control, and positive control. IGRA is recommended as a adjunctive method.
