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Are my TB Ag, INTERFERON GAMMA results positive?

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Hi i have a question about my tb blood test results I am pregnant so I am unable to take the x-ray. Also I was born in south america and had the bcg shot as an infant

Name Value Reference Range
NIL 0.040 UI/mL
MITOGEN-NIL 10.065 IU/mL
TB Ag-NIL 0.479 IU/mL
INTERFERON GAMMA RESULTS POSITIVE NEGATIVE

Category: Infectious Disease Specialist

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Category: HIV- AIDS Specialist
 23 Doctors Online

Hello,
Thank you for your query at Doctorspring.com
I have seen the values you sent me. I need to know a few things.
- Why did you get the test done?
- Do you have any history of fever/night sweats/ chills? Or was it just as a prophylactic measure?
You have taken the Quantiferon Gold TB test, and based on the values, TB can be ruled out. Mitogen is a very insensitive marker, and only mitogen is slightly raised in your case. However since the interferon gamma and TB antigen are nil, it can be ruled out. For the last value, you put Interferon Gamma test, you have put both positive and negative. Can you kindly confirm what's the status? And will it be possible for you to attach the test report for me to see it directly.
Feel free to discuss further,
Regards.


Patient replied :

I only took this test for employment. No history of any symptoms.


Hello,
Thank you for sending the report.
Now going through your report carefully, it shows that the report is positive.
Quantiferon TB test interpretation is slightly difficult. The way we interpret it is, there should be a difference of more than O.35 IU/ml, between TB antigen ( 0.479 in your case ) and nil antigen (0.040 ).
However in absence of any symptoms, it seems to be due to latent TB or can be a false positive report.
For confirmation purpose i will advise you to get the Tuberculin Skin Testing done ( TST ).
You should discuss this with your gynaecologist, and an X- RAY is advised after delivery.
Either case, there is nothing to worry in absence of symptoms.
Hope this was helpful,
Regards.


Patient replied :

Thanks for your response,
I also would like to add, I used to drink a lot but I haven't had a drink in 4 months, no known allergies, I do not smoke ( I used to smoke quit over a year), I do not suffer from hypertansion (but my mother does). I also used to travel a lot for work( I quit 11 months ago) I went to places like brazil, tiblisi, canada, haiti, dominican republic, and all over the us. I would like to know what i should do next should i contact a specialist if so what is he gonna do next and what causions should i take around my child( 2 yrs old) should I vaccinate her or not. I have no symptoms so I don't know what to do next, I can't take a x-ray or go under treatment because of current pregnancy. Am I gonna be able to get a clear to start the new job?
Thank You


Hello,
Thank you for your additional information.
Firstly in absence of symptoms, there is nothing to worry about as of now. I presume your 2 year old child had received the BCG vaccination. I would have been worried, if you were coughing or producing active sputum. In absence of that, please do not worry.
We first need to confirm whether the test was false positive, or is due to latent TB. So till you get the tuberculin skin test done, further management plan can't be decided.
If TST is negative, then there is absolutely no issue. If it comes to be positive, then you need to get a pulmonologist opinion, about whether treatment needs to be taken.
Kindly get the TST done, and based on that i can definitely guide you further. Regarding your employment place, it totally depends on what rules they have. If they base on only on Quantiferon Tb test report, they might have issues with your employment. Hence get the TST as soon as possible.
Regards.


Dr. Jaydeep Tripathy
Category: HIV- AIDS Specialist
Experience: 
MBBS from Sri Ramachandra University in December 2011
M.Med (Family Medicine) - TNMGR University, Chennai
MBA-MPH in Public Health in March 2016, SRM University
Finished AFIH in March 2016, SRM University
MRCP ( UK ), Internal Medicine, Royal College of Physicians, June 2016
Fellowship in Diabetology from Martin Luther University in January 2017

Currently Resident Physician, in MD Radiodiagnosis - Kamakshi Memorial Hospital, Chennai
Dr. Jaydeep Tripathy and 4 other Medical Specialists are ready to help you

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