Interferon γ Assays in the Diagnosis of Tuberculosis Infection in Psoriasis Patients Who Are Candidates for Biologic Therapies.

NOVELTIES IN DERMATOLOGY Interferon Assays in the Diagnosis of Tuberculosis Infection in Psoriasis Patients Who Are Candidates for Biologic Therapies

Although there is no doubt that biologic agents are an effective alternative for the treatment of moderate and severe psoriasis, anti-tumor necrosis factor ␣ therapy has been associated with reactivation of latent tuberculosis infection. Tuberculin skin testing (TST) is used to diagnose tuberculosis infection but it has low specificity in patients who have received the Mycobacterium bovis BCG v...

OVELTIES IN DERMATOLOGY nterferon Assays in the Diagnosis of Tuberculosis Infection in soriasis Patients Who Are Candidates for Biologic Therapies

The risk of tuberculosis related to tumour necrosis factor antagonist therapies: a TBNET consensus statement.

Anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF) monoclonal antibodies or soluble TNF receptors have become an invaluable treatment against chronic inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease and psoriasis. Individuals who are treated with TNF antagonists are at an increased risk of reactivating latent infections, especially tuberculosis (TB). Following TNF antagonist thera...

Dynamic QuantiFERON Response in Psoriasis Patients Taking Long-Term Biologic Therapy

INTRODUCTION The risk of active tuberculosis is increased in psoriasis patients receiving biologic drug therapy. The QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube assay (QFT) is used for latent tuberculosis screening in these patients. This study presents a retrospective analysis on repeated QFT assays, investigating the influence of biologic drugs and isoniazid therapy on the outcome of the assay. METHODS Ser...

Level of Interferon Gamma in the Blood of Tuberculosis Patients

Background: Interferon gamma (IFN-γ), a cytokine produced by a variety of cells is involved in the immune response against M. tuberculosis. It activates the production of other cytokines and molecules that kill mycobacterium. IFN-γ also has diagnostic role in identification of active and latent tuberculosis. Objective: To determine the level of IFN-γ in the blood of TB patients. Methods: Ninety...