Frequently Asked Questions

Although effective treatment has been available for over 70 years, tuberculosis (TB) remains the second leading cause of death from an infectious disease worldwide. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that more than one-third of the world’s population is infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. TB continues to be a significant disease due to factors such as immigration, the emergence of drug-resistant TB strains, HIV, and other conditions that weaken the immune system.

Tuberculosis (TB) is passed from person to person through the air. Individuals with pulmonary (lung) TB can propel aerosols containing Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex organisms into the air when they cough, sneeze, sing, speak, or spit. Persons who then inhale these aerosols can become infected. Factors that determine the probability of infection include the immune status of the exposed individual, the infectiousness of the TB contact, and the proximity, frequency, and duration of exposure.

Individuals with TB infection ("LTBI" or "latent TB") harbour dormant Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex organisms in their bodies but are not infectious and do not have symptoms of TB disease. TB infected individuals usually have a positive T SPOT.TB test result; however, assessing the probability of infection requires a combination of epidemiological, historical, medical and diagnostic findings. It is estimated that 10% of immunocompetent persons with latent TB infection will develop TB disease during the course of their lives. Approximately half of these individuals will develop TB disease within the first two years after infection, while the other half are at risk of developing TB disease at some stage in their life. The risk of progressing from TB infection to TB disease is increased in those with a weakened immune system. For example, patients living with HIV/AIDS are at a greatly increased risk of progressing to TB disease, as are patients who have undergone an organ transplant or are receiving immunosuppressive therapy. When appropriately diagnosed, latent TB infection can be treated with antibiotics. Urgency of treatment is dictated by the degree of risk of progression which is derived from consideration of epidemiological, medical, and diagnostic findings.

Tuberculosis disease, or active TB, develops when the immune system cannot prevent Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex organisms from multiplying in the body.

After exposure, persons can develop latent TB infection or TB disease. TB disease most commonly occurs in the lungs (pulmonary TB) but may occur in other body organs or spaces, particularly in immunocompromised patients or children, and may be localised or disseminated as occurs in miliary TB. Symptoms of pulmonary TB disease may include fever, cough, night sweats, weight loss, and fatigue. Without treatment, TB mortality rates are high. Individuals with TB disease usually have a positive T-SPOT.TB test result; however, assessing the probability of disease requires a combination of epidemiological, historical, medical and diagnostic findings. The definitive diagnosis of TB disease is made on the basis of isolation and identification of the TB mycobacterium in culture. Identification of the mycobacterium by other means, such as genetic tests of its presence, are increasingly being accepted as proof of infection. Persons with latent TB infection are also at risk for progression to TB disease, with that risk being modulated by age, concomitant illness, medication and other epidemiological factors.

The risk of progression to tuberculosis (TB) disease is higher in certain individuals, including:

• Persons with weakened immune systems
• Children under the age of five
• Persons living with HIV/AIDS
• Organ or hematologic transplant recipients
• Persons with radiographic evidence of prior healed TB
• Those undergoing medical treatments with immunosuppressive agents such as systemic corticosteroids, TNF-alpha antagonists, and therapies following transplantation
• Persons with leukemia or cancer of the lung, head, or neck
• Cigarette smokers
• Drug or alcohol abusers
• Persons with a low body weight
• Persons with silicosis, diabetes mellitus, and chronic renal failure/hemodialysis
• Persons who underwent gastrectomy or jejunoileal bypass
• Persons infected with TB within the prior 2 years

Yes, certain groups are more likely to be exposed to Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which may lead to tuberculosis (TB) infection and/or disease. These include:

• known close contacts of a person with infectious TB disease, primarily pulmonary TB
• persons living in, immigrating from, or traveling to TB-endemic regions of the world
• persons who work or reside in facilities or settings with individuals who are at high risk for TB (e.g. hospitals, homeless shelters, correctional facilities, nursing homes, boarding schools, or residential facilities for persons living with HIV/AIDS)

Treatment for tuberculosis (TB) disease is vital. The goals of treatment include not only curing the patient but also reducing transmission to others. In general, the duration of treatment is 6 - 9 months, but is much longer in those with drug-resistant TB. It is crucial that individuals with TB complete their entire course of treatment even if their symptoms improve. TB that is not adequately treated can reactivate or become resistant to drugs, making it more difficult to treat.

Most antibiotics capable of destroying bacteria can only do so while the bacteria are actively replicating. The replication cycle of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex organisms is relatively long; therefore, lengthy treatment is required to ensure that all of the bacteria are destroyed. If the treatment is inconsistent or too short, some bacteria may survive, potentially allowing tuberculosis (TB) disease to reactivate or develop drug resistance.

Treatment for latent TB infection is fundamental in preventing TB disease and overall TB elimination efforts. Completed treatment regimens reduce the risk of TB disease by up to 90%. Urgency of treatment is dictated by the degree of risk of progression which is derived from consideration of epidemiological, medical, and diagnostic findings.

In 2015, recognising latent TB infection testing and treatment as critical components of ultimately eliminating TB disease, the World Health Organization (WHO) set forth its first guidelines on managing latent TB infection, which were then updated and consolidated in 2018. (https://www.who.int/tb/publications/2018/latent-tuberculosis-infection/en/)

There are several methods to detect TB infection, broadly divided into tuberculin skin tests and blood tests. A tuberculin skin test (TST), which has been used to detect TB infection for over 100 years, requires an intradermal injection of a small amount of purified protein derivative (PPD) into the skin. In 48-72 hours, the resultant induration is measured. More recently, blood-based tests, referred to as interferon-gamma release assays (IGRAs), have been introduced. The technology of the T-SPOT.TB test, an IGRA, is based on the release of interferon-gamma secreted by individual effector T cells (both CD4 and CD8) after being stimulated by TB-specific antigens.

Identification of individuals with active TB disease is critical to TB control. Those suspected of having TB disease may undergo a number of tests to confirm the diagnosis (e.g. chest x-ray, sputum culture, smear microscopy, PCR). Samples from the sputum or other sites are collected and cultured to categorically confirm the diagnosis of TB and to determine the susceptibility of the strain to a range of antibiotics used for treatment. The T-SPOT.TB tests may be used as a diagnostic aid in suspected TB disease patients when used in conjunction with radiography and other medical and diagnostic evaluations. The T-SPOT.TB tests, like a TST and the ELISA-based TB blood test, detect TB infection but do not differentiate between active TB disease and latent TB infection.

The T-SPOT.TB test is an in vitro diagnostic test for the detection of effector T cells that respond to stimulation by Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigens ESAT-6 and CFP10 by capturing interferon-gamma secreted by effector T cells and is intended for use as an aid in the diagnosis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. The T-SPOT.TB test is an indirect test for Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection (including disease) and is intended for use in conjunction with risk assessment, radiography, and other medical and diagnostic evaluations.

The T-SPOT.TB test has carried the CE mark, which allows it to be marketed in the EU, since 2004. Additionally, the T-SPOT.TB test received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) premarket approval in 2008 and was approved in China in 2010 and in Japan in 2012. Approvals have also been obtained in many other countries, including, but not limited to, Canada, Taiwan, Russia, Singapore, Thailand, Peru, Nigeria, and Mexico.

Laboratory processing of the T-SPOT.TB test can be completed in approximately 24 hours. Most laboratories typically report results within 36-48 hours of sample receipt.

Many factors can influence the performance and accuracy of a TST, including:

• Noncompliance
  • Requires a minimum of 2 visits
  • Failure to return for TST interpretation
• Subjective Results
  • Misreading of induration
  • Poor inter-observer reproducibility
  • Cutoff dependent on individual risk factors
• False/Positive Results
  • Cross-reactivity with BCG vaccine
  • Cross-reactivity with non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM)
  • Errors in TST placement or reading
• False/Negative Results
  • Anergy (inability to produce an immune response)
  • Immunocompromised status
    • HIV, cancer
  • Immunosuppression
    • biologics, corticosteroids
  • Errors in TST placement or reading
• Costly
  • Inaccurate results
  • Solution waste
  • Staff must be trained in TST placement and interpretation

The T-SPOT.TB test has a number of advantages over a tuberculin skin test (TST), including:

• Single visit to complete test (versus 2 - 4 with TST)
• Improved sensitivity (reliable in patients with weakened immune systems)
• Improved specificity (not affected by BCG vaccine and most non-tuberculous mycobacteria)

The sensitivity and specificity of the T-SPOT.TB test exceeds 98%. The T-SPOT.TB test is reliable even in challenging testing populations, including BCG vaccinated and immunosuppressed persons, and relies on routine phlebotomy procedures.

Interferon-gamma is crucial to the immune defence against intracellular pathogens such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Post-infection, naïve T cells become sensitised to TB-specific antigens and develop into TB-specific effector T cells (both CD4 and CD8), which then migrate to the site of infection and secrete interferon-gamma to activate macrophages to ingest and destroy mycobacteria. TB-infected patients have TB-specific effector T cells circulating in their peripheral blood, which secrete interferon-gamma in vitro when stimulated by the antigens used in the T-SPOT.TB test. The T-SPOT.TB test directly captures interferon-gamma secreted by individual TB-specific effector T cells.

The body of scientific evidence demonstrating the performance of the T-SPOT.TB test for the detection of TB infection (latent and active) in various patient populations continues to grow. Hundreds of peer-reviewed publications, including a number of meta-analyses, have been published covering a wide range of clinical and epidemiological settings including:

• Latent TB infection ("LTBI")
• TB disease (including pulmonary and extra-pulmonary TB)
• HIV infected patients
• Anti-TNF-α therapy candidates
• Healthcare worker screening
• Children, adults, and the elderly
• Malnourished individuals
• Renal patients undergoing dialysis
• Patients with oncological disorders
• Low prevalence countries
• High prevalence countries
• TB contact tracing
• Transplant patients

T-SPOT.TB test results are reported as positive, negative, borderline, or indeterminate.

T-SPOT.TB test results are qualitative and are reported as positive, borderline (equivocal), or negative, given that the test controls perform as expected. Test results are determined by first enumerating the spots (captured interferon-gamma from individual T cells) in each of the patient's four test wells (Positive Control, Nil Control, Panel A, Panel B). Spots can be counted from the test wells using a magnifying glass, stereomicroscope, ELISPOT reader, or a digital image captured from a microscope. Qualitative results are interpreted by subtracting the spot count in the Nil (Negative) Control from the spot count in Panels A and B. Detailed information regarding test result interpretation can be found in the T-SPOT.TB package insert.

The time interval for conversion following exposure is not yet well defined but is expected to occur no later than tuberculin skin test (TST) conversion (typically 2-8 weeks).

Patients testing positive with the T-SPOT.TB tests likely have TB infection and should be clinically evaluated for active TB disease. The risk of one or the other can be assessed on the basis of a combination of epidemiological, historical, medical, and diagnostic findings. A definitive diagnosis of active TB disease is made on isolation and identification of the mycobacterium from the patient.

Unfortunately, there is no clear answer to this question. Studies do not consistently demonstrate that persons test negative after TB treatment. The clinical cure is described by negative sputum culture, improvement of symptoms, and chest x-ray changes. This term refers to both a sterilising cure and the return to the quiescent phase (latent TB infection). Some data have shown that a large proportion of individuals remain skin or blood test positive. The persistence of effector T cells, the cells stimulated by TB-specific antigens in the T-SPOT.TB test may suggest the presence of dormant bacteria but further study is required. Depending on requirements, other diagnostic tests and medical examinations could be considered if the patient remains positive after treatment.

Zhang S, Shao L, Mo L, et al. Evaluation of gamma interferon release assays using Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigens for diagnosis of latent and active tuberculosis in Mycobacterium bovis BCG vaccinated populations. Clin Vaccine Immunol. 2010 Dec;17(12):1985 90.

Bosshard V, Roux Lombard P, Perneger T, et al. Do results of the T-SPOT.TB interferon-gamma release assay change after treatment of tuberculosis? Respir Med. 2009 Jan;103(1):30 4.

Chee CB, KhinMar KW, Gan SH, et al.Tuberculosis treatment effect on T cell interferon-gamma responses to Mycobacterium tuberculosis-specific antigens. Eur Respir J. 2010 Aug;36(2):355 61.

Walzl G, Ronacher K, Hanekom W, Scriba TJ, Zumla A.Immunological biomarkers of tuberculosis. Nat Rev Immunol 2011; 11: 343 354.

Yes, the T-SPOT.TB tests can detect all strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex organisms, including multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR TB), extensively-drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR TB), and totally drug-resistant tuberculosis (TDR TB). The antigens in the T-SPOT.TB tests are common to all Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains. However, the test does not predict whether the organism is sensitive to usual drug treatments. Drug susceptibility testing occurs after isolation and identification of the organism by other methods.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the causative agent of most cases of tuberculosis and thus, T-SPOT.TB test sensitivity was determined from subjects with active, culture-confirmed Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. Individuals infected with other Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex organisms (such as M. bovis, M. africanum, M. microti, M. canetti) usually have T cells in their blood that recognise the antigens (ESAT-6 and CFP10) used in the T-SPOT.TB test and are also anticipated to produce positive T-SPOT.TB test results. ESAT-6 and CFP10 antigens are absent from most non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) with the exception of M. marinum, M. szulgai, and M. kansasii. While it is unclear if ESAT-6 and CFP10 are present in the genome of all subspecies of M. gordonae, it is possible that this NTM may also produce a positive result. All other non-tuberculous mycobacteria, including M. avium, are not expected to cross-react with the antigens used in the T-SPOT.TB test.

No, like a tuberculin skin test (TST) and the ELISA-based TB blood test, the T-SPOT.TB test does not differentiate latent TB infection from TB disease.

The vast majority of T-SPOT.TB test results are either positive or negative. A small percentage of test results can be borderline (equivocal), where the higher of (Panel A minus Nil Control) and (Panel B minus Nil Control) is 5, 6, or 7 spots. The borderline category is intended to reduce the likelihood of false positive or false negative results around the cut-off point of the T-SPOT.TB test. As opposed to an indeterminate or invalid result, a borderline result is clinically interpretable and should be followed by retesting as a substantial proportion of individuals may test positive upon retesting. In a study of US healthcare workers, 23% of subjects with a borderline test result retested as positive, suggesting the borderline category is useful in maintaining test sensitivity¹. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), "incorporation of a borderline category for the T-SPOT.TB" test as approved by FDA increases test accuracy by classifying results near the cut point (at which small variations might affect the interpretation) as neither positive or negative."²

1. King TC, Upfal M, Gottlieb A, et al. T-SPOT.TB Interferon-γ Release Assay Performance in Healthcare Worker Screening at Nineteen U.S. Hospitals. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2015;192(3):367-373. doi:10.1164/rccm.201501-0199OC.

2. Mazurek GH, Jereb J, Vernon A, LoBue P, Goldberg S, Castro K, Committee IE, Centers for Disease C, Prevention. Updated guidelines for using Interferon Gamma Release Assays to detect Mycobacterium tuberculosis United States, 2010. MMWR Recomm Rep 2010; 59: 1-25.

No, borderline (equivocal) results are clinically interpretable whereas indeterminate results cannot be interpreted due to the failure of the test's Positive and/or Nil (Negative) Control. In both cases, however, retesting by collecting another blood sample is recommended.

Borderline results are clinically interpretable and should be followed. Retesting by collecting another sample is recommended. In a study of US healthcare workers, 23% of subjects with a borderline test result retested as positive, suggesting the borderline category is useful in maintaining test sensitivity. Upon retesting, if the test result remains borderline, other diagnostic tests and/or epidemiologic information should be used to help determine the TB infection status of the patient.

King TC, Upfal M, Gottlieb A, et al. T-SPOT.TB Interferon-γ Release Assay Performance in Healthcare Worker Screening at Nineteen U.S. Hospitals. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2015;192(3):367-373. doi:10.1164/rccm.201501-0199OC.

Indeterminate results are not clinically interpretable and may occur if the Positive and/or Nil (Negative) Control does not perform as expected. Retesting by collecting another sample is recommended. Upon retesting, if the test result remains indeterminate, other diagnostic tests and/or epidemiologic information should be used to help determine the TB infection status of the patient. Indeterminate results are uncommon and may be related to factors such as inappropriate blood storage conditions, delay in sample transport, patient-specific conditions, or laboratory error.

The Positive Control serves as an indicator of patient cell functionality. Patient cells are incubated with a non-specific stimulator, phytohemagglutinin, in the Positive Control sample well. The Positive Control spot count is ≥ 20 in the vast majority of patient samples. A failed Positive Control is uncommon but may be related to factors such as inappropriate blood storage conditions, delay in sample transport, technical factors, or patient-specific conditions. A small proportion of patients may have T cells which show only a limited response to phytohemagglutinin.

The Nil (Negative) Control is designed to control for non-specific T-cell reactivity. Patient cells are incubated with sterile media in the Nil Control well. For the test to be considered valid, there must be < 11 spots in the Nil Control well. A failed Nil Control is uncommon but may be related to technical factors or a patient-specific condition.

The sensitivity and specificity of the T-SPOT.TB test exceeds 98%.

Sensitivity (the ability to detect TB-infected individuals) is one of the key measures of diagnostic performance. A test with high sensitivity, such as the T-SPOT.TB test will have few false-negative results. This is especially important in patients who carry a greater risk of progression from latent TB infection to TB disease, such as those with weakened immune systems.

In addition to sensitivity, specificity (the ability to identify non-infected individuals) is another key measure of diagnostic performance. A test with high specificity, such as the T-SPOT.TB tests will have few false positive results.

When determining the specificity (ability to identify non-infected individuals) of IGRAs, it is essential that control populations only include individuals with a known low risk of tuberculosis infection. Failure to strictly apply this criterion leads to inaccurate statements concerning test specificity.

Numerous peer-reviewed studies have found the specificity of the T-SPOT.TB test to be greater than 98% in low-risk populations in low-prevalence countries^1-5.

1. Bienek DR, Chang CK. Evaluation of an interferon-gamma release assay, T-SPOT.TB, in a population with a low prevalence of tuberculosis. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis. 2009 Nov;13(11):1416-21.

2. Wang SH, Powell DA, Nagaraja HN, Morris JD, Schlesinger LS, Turner J. Evaluation of a modified interferon gamma release assay for the diagnosis of latent tuberculosis infection in adult and paediatric populations that enables delayed processing. Scand J Infect Dis. 2010 Dec;42(11 12):845 50.

3. Talbot EA, Harland D, Wieland Alter W, Burrer S, Adams LV. Specificity of the tuberculin skin test and the T SPOT.TB assay among students in a low tuberculosis incidence setting. J Am Coll Health. 2012;60(1):94 6.

4. Mancuso JD, Mazurek GH, Tribble D, et al. Discordance among commercially available diagnostics for latent tuberculosis infection. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2012 Feb 15;185(4):427 34.

5. King TC, Upfal M, Gottlieb A, et al. T-SPOT.TB Interferon-? Release Assay Performance in Healthcare Worker Screening at Nineteen U.S. Hospitals. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2015;192(3):367-373. doi:10.1164/rccm.201501-0199OC.

No, the T-SPOT.TB tests can be used in the testing of all patient groups including those living with HIV/AIDS, those with weakened immune systems, recent contacts of TB cases, and residents and employees of high-risk congregate settings.

Yes, the T-SPOT.TB test is well suited for use in patients with weakened immune systems.

Each sample undergoes a cell count which is used to create a normalised (standardised and known number) suspension of cells that are subsequently incubated with TB-specific antigens. Immunosuppressed patients may have a reduced number of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) - the types of white blood cells used in the T-SPOT.TB test. In these patients, multiple blood tubes can be pooled to obtain the required number of cells to perform the test.

Pivotal clinical study data submitted to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for pre-market approval extensively evaluated the T-SPOT.TB tests in immunosuppressed individuals include but are not limited to, subjects with HIV, silicosis, diabetes, end-stage renal disease, and organ transplant. A negative tuberculin skin test was associated with being immunosuppressed; while no association was observed between T-SPOT.TB test result and immunosuppressed status.

The cell-washing step enables the removal of plasma and potentially interfering substances, such as endogenous interferon-gamma, tricyclic antidepressants, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. After washing, the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) are counted to allow for an adjustment in cell concentration to correct for variations in patient PBMC counts and ensure a standard number of cells are used in the test.

The washing and counting steps may be of particular importance in patients with weakened immune systems. Immunosuppressed and immunocompromised patients have a higher risk of progressing from latent TB infection to TB disease and may be prescribed a potentially interfering substance or have a PBMC count outside of normal values.

Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine is used in many countries with a high prevalence of TB to prevent childhood tuberculous meningitis and miliary disease but confers limited protective value in adults. The BCG vaccine is also used as an immunotherapeutic agent for individuals with bladder cancer. BCG-vaccinated individuals may produce a positive tuberculin skin test (TST), even if they are not infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex organisms. This is a common cause of TST inaccuracy.

Unlike a tuberculin skin test, there is no association between BCG vaccination and T-SPOT.TB test results.

The bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine is an attenuated derivative of virulent Mycobacterium bovis, the bovine or animal form of the TB mycobacterium. The T-SPOT.TB test utilises antigens (ESAT-6 and CFP10) that are located on a genomic region designated as RD1, region of differentiation 1. The RD1 region is present in all virulent M. bovis strains but is deleted from all BCG strains. Because the antigens are used in the T-SPOT.TB tests are not present in the BCG vaccine, the T-SPOT.TB test does not produce a false positive result due to BCG vaccination. It should be noted, however, that patients infected with virulent M. bovis are likely to produce a positive T-SPOT.TB result.

Studies have shown that the incorporation of the T-SPOT.TB tests in control programs will reduce the overall cost of TB control. This is largely due to the elimination of significant indirect costs associated with a tuberculin skin test (TST) to both healthcare systems and patients.

TST requires the person being tested to have at least two office visits. Up to one-third of individuals do not return to have their test read. This may result in wasted resources and potentially dangerous gaps when containing an outbreak. Indirect resource and labour costs associated with administering and reading a TST are relatively high. These are compounded by the fact that the solution used in a TST, once opened, has to be used within a short time period leading to potential wastage of unused stock. False-negative TSTs and non-returners may convert to TB disease leading to morbidity and higher costs of treating disease (including onward transmission).

False-positive TST results, often due to cross-reactivity with BCG vaccine or environmental non-tuberculous mycobacteria can lead to unnecessary anti-TB treatment and associated toxicity testing and clinical follow-up.

Pooran A, Booth H, Miller RF, Scott G, Badri M, Huggett JF, Rook G, Zumla A, Dheda K. Different screening strategies (single or dual) for the diagnosis of suspected latent tuberculosis: a cost-effectiveness analysis. BMC Pulm Med 2010; 10: 7.

Wrighton-Smith P, Zellweger JP. Direct costs of three models for the screening of latent tuberculosis infection. Eur Respir J 2006; 28: 45-50.

Diel R, Wrighton-Smith P, Zellweger JP. Cost-effectiveness of interferon-gamma release assay testing for the treatment of latent tuberculosis. Eur Respir J 2007; 30: 321-332.

Foster Chang SA, Manning ML, Chandler L. Tuberculosis screening of new hospital employees: compliance, clearance to work time, and cost using tuberculin skin test and interferon-gamma release assays. Workplace Health Saf 2014; 62: 460-467.

The T SPOT.TB test is a simplified and validated ELISPOT (enzyme-linked immunospot) method, which has some similarities to a conventional ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) method.  A whole blood sample is collected from the patient and sent to the laboratory. The laboratory separates the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), washes and counts them.  A standard number of PBMCs are added to four microtiter wells, where they are exposed to a Positive Control, Nil (Negative) Control, and two Mycobacterium tuberculosis-specific antigens (ESAT-6 and CFP10).  After overnight incubation, a conjugated antibody is added. The plate is then washed and a soluble substrate is added. Finally, the plate is washed and the number of spots is enumerated to determine the patient's result.

Indeterminate results are infrequent with the T SPOT.TB test. Oxford Diagnostic Laboratories maintain low overall indeterminate rates. Contact technical support for additional information.

In Europe and all other regions not listed below, please contact our UK office at +44 (0) 1235 442 780 or send an e-mail to info@oxfordimmunotec.com.

In the United States, please contact Oxford Immunotec on 1-877-208-7768.

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In China, please contact Oxford Immunotec (Shanghai) Medical Device Co., Ltd on + 86 21 80168616

In Singapore, please contact Oxford Immunotec on +65 6246 6861

In Korea, please contact Oxford Immunotec on +82 2 2015 7710

A number of blood collection tubes are compatible with the T-SPOT.TB test, including standard sodium or lithium heparin tubes. Please refer to the package insert or contact the laboratory processing your T-SPOT.TB test samples for a complete list of acceptable blood collection tubes.

No, EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) affects cells' secretion of interferon-gamma due to its chelating (calcium binding) properties. Blood collection tubes that contain this anti-coagulant therefore cannot be used.

Typically, in immunocompetent patients, sufficient peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) to perform the T-SPOT.TB test can be obtained with the following age-dependent guidelines:

• Adults and children ≥ 10 years of age: 6 mL
• < 10 years of age: 4 mL
• Children < 2 years of age: 2 mL

The T-Cell Xtend reagent contains a bispecific monoclonal antibody that cross-links inhibitory white blood cells with red blood cells, creating a complex that is removed during centrifugation. Lab personnel add the T-Cell Xtendreagent to whole blood prior to density gradient separation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). T cells separated from whole blood stored over 8 hours appear to show reduced responses to antigen stimulation due to activated inhibitory white blood cells which suppress in vitro interferon-gamma production. By removing activated inhibitory white blood cells, the T-Cell Xtendreagent extends blood storage to 32 hours after sample collection.

Blood samples should be processed within 32 hours of sample collection. Please refer to the T-SPOT.TB package inserts for detailed information regarding sample stability.

Internal validation protocols and peer-reviewed studies have evaluated T-SPOT.TB test performance with and without the use of the T-Cell Xtendreagent and found high concordance and sensitivity.

Talbot EA, Maro I, Ferguson K, et al. Maintenance of Sensitivity of the T-SPOT.TB Assay after Overnight Storage of Blood Samples, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Tuberc Res Treat. 2012;2012:345290.

Wang SH, Stew SS, Cyktor J, Carruthers B, Turner J, Restrepo BI. Validation of increased blood storage times with the T-SPOT.TB assay with T-Cell Xtendreagent in individuals with different tuberculosis risk factors. J Clin Microbiol 2012; 50: 2469-2471.

Bouwman JJ, Thijsen SF, Bossink AW. Improving the timeframe between blood collection and interferon gamma release assay using T-Cell Xtend?. J Infect 2012; 64: 197-203.

Wang SH, Powell DA, Nagaraja HN, Morris JD, Schlesinger LS, Turner J. Evaluation of a modified interferon-gamma release assay for the diagnosis of latent tuberculosis infection in adult and paediatric populations that enables delayed processing. Scand J Infect Dis 2010; 42: 845-850.