Published in

Taylor & Francis, Expert Opinion on Biological Therapy, 2(14), p. 151-156

DOI: 10.1517/14712598.2014.860441

Links

Tools

Export citation

Search in Google Scholar

Usefulness of QuantiFERON®-TB Gold test in psoriatic patients under treatment with tumour necrosis factor blockers

This paper was not found in any repository, but could be made available legally by the author.
This paper was not found in any repository, but could be made available legally by the author.

Full text: Unavailable

Green circle
Preprint: archiving allowed
Green circle
Postprint: archiving allowed
Red circle
Published version: archiving forbidden
Data provided by SHERPA/RoMEO

Abstract

Objective: Infliximab is a human/mouse chimeric anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α antibody that is effective in the management of psoriasis. Anti-TNF treatments may reactivate latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI); therefore, screening for LTBI is mandatory before starting any anti-TNF-α therapy. The aim of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of the QuantiFERON®-TB Gold (QFT-G) test in psoriatic patients under treatment with infliximab. Research design and methods: A retrospective study had been performed on patients affected by psoriasis who had been treated with infliximab from 2003 to 2012 at a single centre. Main outcomes measures: QFT-G was tested by a standard TB enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, based on detection of interferon-γ release from sensitized leucocytes exposed to the synthetic Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigens at baseline and every 6 months until the end of treatment. Results: A total of 140 patients were included. At baseline, 7 QFT-G tests were positive and 133 tests were negative. Of the 133 patients, 11 (8%) who were negative at baseline became QFT-G test positive during treatment. Of those 11 patients, 5 had a reversion during treatment. Of the 133 patients, 122 (92%) who were negative at baseline remained negative. Conclusions: It was found that the development of positive QFT-G tests, observed in 8% treated with infliximab, was not associated with pulmonary or extra-pulmonary tuberculosis.