Latent tuberculosis and biotherapy in chronic inflammatory diseases: value of the QuantiFERON TB Gold Plus test in diagnosis

Latent tuberculosis infection is a form of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in which the bacteria remain dormant in the body without causing symptoms Subsequent activation of the infection can occur when the immune system is weakened as is the case with the use of biotherapies. As part of our study, the objective was to evaluate the results and performances of QuantiFERON TB Gold Plus carried out at the immunology laboratory of the central army hospital on a cohort of patients from different services Suffering from chronic inflammatory diseases. We retrospectively analyzed between 2019 and 2022 the files of 340 patients suffering from different chronic inflammatory diseases (Ankylosing Spondylitis, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's, psoriasis, uveitis) and candidates for biotherapy as part of a screening assessment.looking for possible latent tuberculosis infection. Our study was carried out on a cohort of 340 patients. The targeted population consists of patient subject to a QuantiFERON TB Gold Plus test with chronic inflammatory diseases, particularly:Rheumatoid Arthritis n=65, Ankylosing Spondylitis n=148, Crohon's disease n=72, Psoriasis n=23,and uveitis n=32. The test results showed that of the 340 patients,55 were positive (16%),and 280 negative (82%) and 5 indeterminate (2%). Out of 55 positive patients, there were 7 patients (13%) RA,24 patients (45%) SPA,8 patients (15%) Crohon,4 patients (7%) psoriasis and 11 patients (20%) uveitis. The use of QuantiFERON TB Gold Plus has many advantages and is very useful in clinical practice This test accurately identifies patients who are at risk of developing active tuberculosis.