Quantiferon Gold Plus TB Test

Discounted Labs' Budget-Friendly Quantiferon TB Gold Test Price

Key Highlights

QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus (QFT-Plus) is a new blood test. It helps find out if you have an infection from Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the germs that cause TB.

• Unlike the old skin test, QFT-Plus does not react to the BCG vaccine. This makes it more accurate for people who have had the vaccine.
• This test is very useful for diagnosing latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). LTBI is a quiet form of TB that may not show any symptoms, but it can turn active later.
• The test looks at how your blood reacts to TB antigens. It gives a clear picture of your TB status.
• QFT-Plus is usually safe, and you can get results in about 24 to 48 hours.

Introduction

Tuberculosis (TB) is a serious health problem around the world. Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the germ that causes it. Some people may have this germ without feeling sick. This is called latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). Although they do not have active TB now, there is a chance they might get it later on. For a long time, doctors used the tuberculin skin test (TST) to find TB. Now, we have blood tests like QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus (QFT-Plus), a TB blood test, and other diagnostic evaluations that include radiography. These tests are easier and more accurate for detecting TB infection.

Understanding QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus

QFT-Plus is a simple test done in a lab. It helps find out if someone has a Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection by checking how the body reacts. This test is better than older methods for detecting TB and gives a good idea of your TB status.

The test measures a substance called interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) in your blood. T cells produce this substance after exposing your body to specific TB peptide antigens. These are special parts of the tuberculosis germ that cause a reaction in your immune system. They measure IFN-γ using a method called enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). This method is very precise for testing in the lab.

The Evolution of TB Testing

For many years, tuberculin skin testing (TST) was the main method for diagnosing TB. In this test, a small amount of tuberculin, which is a purified protein from Mycobacterium tuberculosis and nontuberculous mycobacteria, is injected under the skin. The area is then checked for reactions. While TST has been important in controlling TB, it has some drawbacks. One issue is that it may give false-positive results for people who got the BCG vaccine or those exposed to similar bacteria in the environment.

The introduction of interferon gamma release assays (IGRAs) was a big step forward in TB testing. IGRAs are blood tests that check for the release of IFN-γ from white blood cells, specifically in response to tuberculosis bacteria. This release is a key sign of a TB infection. IGRAs have some benefits over TST, such as being more specific, giving quicker results, and not needing a follow-up visit to understand the results.

QFT-Plus is a leading igra test. It uses advanced technology to give a reliable and accurate evaluation of TB infection.

Key Features of QuantiFERON Gold Plus

One important benefit of QFT-Plus is its high specificity. This means the test is great at correctly finding people who are not infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The variability in these factors doesn't affect QFT-Plus, in contrast to the TST, which occasionally produces false-positive results because of prior BCG vaccination or contact with other mycobacteria. This leads to results that are more reliable.

The test begins with a simple blood collection. A healthcare worker will take blood samples, usually three to four tubes, using special tubes with TB antigens. After that, the blood samples are kept at a warm temperature, around 37°C. This helps stimulate the immune response and measure IFN-γ release.

The whole process aims for the best accuracy and efficiency. It ensures that the test results truly reflect your TB status.

How QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus Works

The QFT-Plus test looks at how your immune system responds to Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. When you are exposed to TB, your body activates T cells, which are a type of white blood cell.

In the QFT-Plus test, a whole blood specimen is mixed with specific TB antigens in special tubes. If you have either latent or active TB, your T cells will recognize these antigens and will release IFN-γ. This is what the test measures. This response is key to how the QFT-Plus test can find a TB infection.

The Science Behind the Test

QFT-Plus uses the human body's strong immune response to fight infection. When a person gets infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, their immune system reacts by creating special T cells. These T cells can recognize specific parts of the bacteria called antigens.

The QFT-Plus test uses a special blend of peptides and a peptide cocktail that represent these TB-specific antigens. When these peptides are added to a blood sample from someone infected with TB, the T cells in the blood recognize and attach to the antigens. This starts the release of IFN-γ, a molecule that shows that the immune system is working against the bacteria.

By checking the amount of IFN-γ produced in the lab, QFT-Plus can tell if a person has been infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This method focuses on the body’s specific immune response, which helps ensure the test accurately detects both latent and active TB infection.

Interpreting Your Test Results

Interpreting your QFT-Plus test results is usually easy. If you get a positive result, it means your blood sample had a strong release of IFN-γ due to the TB antigens. This suggests you might be infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis and TB bacteria. However, a positive test cannot tell if you have latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) or active tuberculosis.

If your result is a negative result, it means your blood sample did not show a significant IFN-γ release. This makes it unlikely that you have a TB infection. Still, remember that no test is perfect, and false negatives can happen. If your doctor thinks you could have TB even if the QFT-Plus result is negative, they might suggest more tests.

Sometimes, you can get indeterminate results. This means that your immune response to the TB antigens was unclear. In this case, more testing may be needed to check your TB status. Errors in blood handling or other medical conditions can sometimes cause these indeterminate results.

The Importance of Testing for TB

Testing for TB, which includes both latent and active forms, is very important for public health efforts to stop the spread of this disease. Detecting LTBI is key because people with this kind of infection may not show symptoms. However, they can still pass the bacteria to others. They also risk the progression to developing active TB later in life, especially if their immune system gets weak.

Finding TB infection early with tests like QFT-Plus helps get medical care quickly. Treating LTBI right away can stop it from turning into active TB disease. This helps improve health for both individuals and the public.

TB in the United States: A Current Overview

The United States has made great progress in controlling TB disease over the last hundred years. Still, TB is a public health challenge, although it happens less often than in many other parts of the world. The Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) stresses the need for ongoing monitoring and specific testing. This way, we can keep improving and lower TB cases even more.

Efforts to stop TB in the U.S. focus on finding and treating both active TB and latent TB infection. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers clear guidelines for TB testing and treatment. They highlight the need to target high-risk groups, such as healthcare workers, people in close contact with those who have active TB, and individuals from areas where TB is common.

Despite these improvements, there are still problems to fix. We need to ensure everyone can get good TB care. We also must tackle social and economic issues that lead to differences in TB care. Finally, we have to work on fighting against drug-resistant TB strains.

Who Should Get Tested?

Healthcare providers look at different factors to decide who should be tested for tuberculosis (TB). They often pay attention to people who are at higher risk of getting the infection or those more likely to develop active TB.

Groups that might benefit from testing include:

• People who have lived in countries where TB is common.
• Individuals with weak immune systems, known as immunocompromised patients.
• Healthcare workers, who are especially encouraged to get tested regularly due to their possible exposure to the bacteria.

People showing symptoms of TB or who have been close to someone with active TB should also consider getting tested. Quick testing, like QFT-Plus, can help find infections early. This allows for quick treatment and helps prevent the spread of TB. It also supports better health for both the individual and the community.

What is the Quantiferon TB Gold Test Price?

DiscountedLabs.com sells the lowest Quantiferon TB Gold test price in the United States ($146). You don't need a doctor's visit or insurance. After selecting your test, you can proceed to checkout quickly. Discounted Labs services these states: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa (Des Moines), Kansas, Kentucky (Louisville & Lexington), Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana (Great Falls), Nebraska (Omaha & Lincoln), Nevada, North Carolina, New Mexico, Ohio (Cleveland & Akron), Oklahoma (OKC), Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah (Salt Lake City), Virginia, and Washington.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is important to understand why testing for TB is essential for public health and personal wellness. QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus provides advanced options for diagnosing TB. It gives reliable results that help in making better treatment choices. This test is a key tool in fighting tuberculosis. Stay updated, get tested if needed, and help create a healthier community. For more information about TB testing, check our FAQ section or talk to healthcare professionals to focus on your health.

Frequently Asked Questions

How accurate is the QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus test?

QFT-Plus, like other tests for tb infection that use the ELISA method, is very accurate and specific. But, like all medical tests, there can be some difference in results. It is important to look at these results along with the person's health status and risk factors.

Can QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus detect active tuberculosis infection?

QFT-Plus is good at finding Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. However, it cannot say for sure if someone has active tuberculosis disease. A positive result shows there is an infection. To check if the infection is active, more tests are needed. These tests may include chest X-rays and sputum cultures.

What should I do if my test results are positive?

If your QFT-Plus test is positive, your doctor will help you with what to do next. They will check to see if you have active tuberculosis and decide if you need treatment to stop it from getting worse. The Infectious Diseases Society of America gives helpful advice on how to manage latent TB infection.

How does QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus compare to traditional TB skin tests?

QFT-Plus has many benefits over the tuberculin skin test (TST). It only needs one visit from the patient. It has higher specificity. Also, it does not respond to the BCG vaccine. This makes results more trustworthy, especially for people who have received a BCG vaccination.

Is the QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus test covered by insurance in the United States?

Health coverage for QFT-Plus depends on the specific insurance plan a person has. Major medical groups, like the American Thoracic Society, suggest that insurance providers cover TB testing according to national guidelines. This is important to help catch TB early and manage the disease effectively. But, no worries, you can find a low quantiferon tb gold test price on DiscountedLabs.com.

References

[1] Latent Tuberculosis Infection: Screening and Treatment

https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2021/0201/p177.html

[2] QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus, Blood

https://microbiology.testcatalog.org/show/qft4

[3] QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus

https://www.mayocliniclabs.com/test-catalog/overview/113563

[4] QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus

https://www.qiagen.com/us/products/diagnostics-and-clinical-research/tb-management/quantiferon-tb-gold-plus-us

[5] QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus Test: Frequently Asked Questions

https://www.questdiagnostics.com/healthcare-professionals/clinical-education-center/faq/faq204