Tuberculin skin test reactivity is dependent on host genetic background in Colombian tuberculosis household contacts

Clin Infect Dis. 2012 Apr;54(7):968-71. doi: 10.1093/cid/cir972. Epub 2012 Jan 30.

Abstract

The tuberculin skin test (TST) measures the intensity of antimycobacterial acquired immunity and is used to diagnose latent infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. We report evidence for a codominant gene explaining ∼65% of the TST variability. Disregarding the host genetic background may lead to misclassifications of TST-based diagnosis of latent M. tuberculosis infection.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Colombia
  • Family Characteristics
  • Female
  • Genetic Variation*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Latent Tuberculosis / diagnosis*
  • Latent Tuberculosis / genetics*
  • Latent Tuberculosis / immunology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis / immunology*
  • Tuberculin Test / methods*
  • Young Adult