Use of QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-tube assay in screening for neutralizing anti-interferon-gamma autoantibodies in patients with disseminated nontuberculous mycobacterial infection

摘要

Objective: Anti-interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) autoantibodies (anti-IFN-gamma Abs) have been increasingly recognized as an important cause of disseminated nontuberculous mycobacterial (DNTM) infection, and identification of this immunodeficiency impacts clinical management. However, the protean disease manifestations and inaccessibility to diagnostic tests in clinical settings hamper its early diagnosis. Here, we sought to determine whether QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-tube (QFT-GIT), a commercialized IFN-gamma release assay, could be used to screen for neutralizing anti-IFN-gamma Abs among previously healthy adults with DNTM infection.