Role of QuantiFERON TB Gold in the diagnosis of Tuberculosis Pleural Effusion

• Grant number: 23/16960-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: April 01, 2024
• End date: March 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Medical Clinics
• Principal Investigator: Lisete Ribeiro Teixeira
• Grantee: Alice Barbosa Carneiro de Araújo Pinho
• Host Institution: Instituto do Coração Professor Euryclides de Jesus Zerbini (INCOR). Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da USP (HCFMUSP). Secretaria da Saúde (São Paulo - Estado). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

In countries with a high prevalence of tuberculosis, the pleural form appears as one of the main causes of pleural effusion, which justifies considering this diagnosis in all patients with pleurisy of undetermined etiology. An accurate and early diagnosis is essential for its efficient management and timely treatment to minimize morbidity and mortality. Numerous studies are looking for a marker that allows good diagnostic accuracy. In pleural fluid, INF-y has been a good indicator, with high sensitivity and specificity, for the diagnosis of tuberculous pleuritis. Its quantification can be directly or indirectly through tests such as QuantiFERON-TB. The objectives of this study will be to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of QuantiFERON-TB Gold analyzed in a standard and numerical way in lymphocytic pleural effusions and to compare the results of QuantiFERON-TB Gold with the classic methods of diagnosis of pleural TB. Samples of lymphocytic pleural fluid from patients with pleural effusion with clinical indication for thoracentesis will be evaluated. In the pleural fluid, measurements of total proteins, lactic dehydrogenase (DL) and adenosine deaminase (ADA) will be performed; qualitative and quantitative cytological and microbiological exams, interferon-gamma and QuantiFERON TB Gold.