摘要：Detection and treatment of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) is considered to be an increas-ingly important element of tuberculosis (TB) control efforts in Australia and other low incidence countries. In vitro T-cell based interferon-γ release immunoassays (IGRAs) are marketed as a substitute for the tuberculin skin test (TST) for the detection of LTBI. The specificity of these immunoassays has been optimised by utilising pooled synthetic antigens, such as early secretory protein 6 [ESAT-6] and culture filtrate protein 10 [CFP-10], from the Mycobacterium tuberculosis-specific region of differ-ence 1 (RD1) region and has been recently reviewed (Pai et al, 2004; Menzies et al, 2007).
