Evaluation of a CD4/CD8 Tuberculosis Interferon Gamma Release Assay
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Evaluation of the sensitivity of a CD4/CD8 Interferon Gamma Release Assay for the detection of tuberculosis infection.
IRAS ID
165221
Contact name
James Brown
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Royal Free London NHS Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
This study will evaluate a new blood test for detecting tuberculosis (TB) infection. This blood test is an updated version of an existing test which is already extensively used in clinical practice. This test detects the body’s immune response to tuberculosis, in the form of cells designed to fight infection. The existing version of this test (the Quantiferon test) is positive in most, but not all, people with TB and the new version of the test works by adding antigens (molecules derived from germs to which the immune system can respond) designed to stimulate a different kind of immune cell (CD8 lymphocytes) as well as those used in the existing test. This study will aim to see if this new test is more effective at identifying people infected with tuberculosis.
REC name
North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 1
REC reference
15/NS/0006
Date of REC Opinion
15 Jan 2015
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion