Human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 may invalidate T-SPOT.TB assay results in rheumatoid arthritis patients: A retrospective case-control observational study.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:CD4-positive T cells are the main target of human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1). Interferon-γ release assays rely on the fact that T-lymphocytes release this cytokine when exposed to tuberculosis-specific antigens and are useful in testing for latent tuberculosis infection before initiating biologic therapy, such as anti-tumor necrosis factor agents. However, the reliability of interferon-γ release assays in detecting tuberculosis infection among HTLV-1-positive patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) remains unclear. The present study aimed to evaluate the use of the T-SPOT.TB assay in HTLV-1-positive RA patients. METHODS:Overall, 29 HTLV-1-positive RA patients and 87 age- and sex-matched HTLV-1-negative RA patients (controls) were included from the HTLV-1 RA Miyazaki C

SUBMITTER: Umekita K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7252607 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature