Point-Of-Care Rapid Test: Potential For Screening Latent Tuberculosis
A study from Karolinska Institutet reports that a rapid point-of-care test may support screening for latent tuberculosis infection in settings with limited laboratory capacity. The analysis compares TB-Feron with the established QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus test and highlights opportunities for faster diagnosis and improved access to preventive treatment.
According to Karolinska Institutet, a new diagnostic approach may contribute to detecting latent tuberculosis infection in regions with limited laboratory infrastructure. The findings have been published in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases, underscoring the importance of accessible tools to support clinicians and nurses in managing tuberculosis, one of the world’s most persistent infectious diseases.
Why improved screening for latent TB is essential
Tuberculosis continues to cause severe illness globally. Individuals with latent TB carry bacteria without symptoms but may progress to active disease, increasing transmission risks. Early identification is therefore crucial to initiate preventive treatment and protect communities.
Currently, screening often relies on the QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus assay, a multi-step laboratory method requiring specialized equipment and trained personnel. As processing takes one to two days, its use is limited in rural clinics and areas with constrained resources.
Comparing TB-Feron with the established laboratory test
Researchers from Karolinska Institutet and partners in Vietnam compared the performance of the TB-Feron point-of-care test with QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus. TB-Feron delivers results in approximately 15 minutes and does not require advanced laboratory facilities.
Study design
The study enrolled 345 adults in Hanoi, divided into three groups:
- individuals with confirmed tuberculosis,
- household contacts of infectious TB cases,
- people with no known exposure.
All participants were tested with both TB-Feron and QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus.
Sensitivity and specificity outcomes
TB-Feron demonstrated a sensitivity of 88 percent, meaning most expected positive cases were correctly identified. QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus reached 92 percent sensitivity.
However, the specificity of TB-Feron, the ability to rule out infection in healthy individuals, was 70 percent, compared with 96 percent for the established laboratory method.
Among household contacts, concordance between the two tests was high at 92 percent for positive samples.
Perspectives from the research team
Han Thi Nguyen states: “It is promising that TB-Feron works so well in an environment with a high disease burden. The test is patient-friendly and easy to use, with rapid same-day results, making it useful in primary care.”
To assess reproducibility, results were compared across two groups of laboratory professionals. No systematic differences were observed, suggesting stable performance.
Lina Davies Forsman adds: “This test can help more people with latent tuberculosis to be detected and receive preventive treatment, especially in rural areas in countries with limited resources.”
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