IFN- γ , but not IP-10, MCP-2 or IL-2 response to RD1 selected peptides associates to active tuberculosis..

Goletti, D.; Raja, A.; Basirudeen, S.; Rodrigues, C.; Sodha, A.; Butera, O.; Carrara, S.; Vernet, G.; Longuet, C.; Ippolito, G.; Thangaraj, S.; Leportier, M.; Girardi, E.; Lagrange, P.H.

Journal of Infection; 2010; 61; 133-143.  

Summary: Objectives: To evaluate whether in vitro response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis RD1 peptides selected by computational analysis, measured by IFN-γ, IP-10, MCP-2 or IL-2 production, is associated with active tuberculosis (TB) in a country with a high incidence of TB.

Methods: 129 individuals were prospectively enrolled, 41 with active-pulmonary TB and 88 without (household contacts and community controls). A whole blood assay based on RD1 selected peptides was performed. Soluble factors were evaluated by ELISA in plasma harvested at day1-post-culture. Enrolled individuals were also tested by QuantiFERON TB-Gold In tube (QFT-IT) and tuberculin skin tests (TST).

Results : IFN- g response to RD1 selected peptides was significantly higher in active TB patients than in household contacts and community controls. IP-10 and MCP-2 response did not differ between active TB patients and household contacts, although it was higher in these groups compared to community controls; conversely IL-2 response did not differ among the three groups. When IFN- g response to RD1 selected peptides was scored based on receiver-operator-characteristic analysis, active TB was predicted with 68% sensitivity and 86% specificity. QFT-IT and TST showed a sensitivity for active TB of 90% and 68% and a specificity of 58% and 59%, respectively.

Conclusions: IFN- g (but not IP-10, MCP-2 and IL-2) response to RD1 selected peptides is associated with active TB with a higher specificity than QFT-IT and TST.

Keywords: Tuberculosis; LTBI; IGRA; RD1 peptides; IP-10; MCP-2; IL-2

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