Abstract
SETTING Accurate testing and treatment for latent tuberculous infection is necessary for tuberculosis elimination. Certain parasite infections are associated with increased tuberculin skin test positivity; species-specific effects on QuantiFERON(®)-TB Gold In-Tube (QGIT) have not been described. OBJECTIVE To determine whether infection with helminths or protozoa affects QGIT results. DESIGN We retrospectively analyzed QGIT and parasite testing results for immigrants screened in Boston, MA, USA, from 2012 to 2017. We also prospectively measured cytokines in QGIT supernatants for a subset (n = 68) with 1) helminths, 2) Blastocystis hominis, 3) other protozoa, and 4) no parasites. RESULTS Of 527 immigrants screened, 141 (26.8%) were QGIT-positive and 229 (43.4%) had parasites detected: 27/527 (5.1%) had helminths and 202/527 (38.3%) protozoa. Cytokine analysis revealed increased interleukin-10 concentrations with protozoa (P = 0.04), and non-significantly higher T-helper 2 concentrations with helminths compared with no parasites. No significant differences emerged in QGIT positivity or interferon-gamma concentrations in any group. CONCLUSION Study results support the use of QGIT in parasite-endemic settings. .
