Another example of the recent takeup of QFT in-tube

Happening all over the US, like Iowa;

EPI Update for Friday, September 12, 2008
Center for Acute Disease Epidemiology (CADE)
Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH)

An alternative to the tuberculosis (TB) skin test Iowa physicians and public health agencies have an alternative to the TB skin test. The University Hygienic Laboratory (UHL) now offers Quantiferon TB Gold (QFTBG) and Quantiferon TB In Tube (QFTBIT) tests. Quantiferon is a blood test that measures and compares the amount of interferon-gamma (IFN-g) released by blood cells in response to antigens. The QFTBG assay was FDA approved in 2005; the QFTBIT assay was FDA approved in 2007. The benefit of the QFTBIT assay is a longer time frame for submission to the testing laboratory, making transport to the lab much simpler. Collection of the test requires special tubes which UHL provides. To order this test call UHL at (319) 335-4500 at least 24 hours prior to collection to arrange for testing and transportation. Specimens are only accepted Monday through Thursday and must arrive before 4:00 p.m.

UPDATE #1:

University of Missouri are also introducing QFT;

Inside the Special Chemistry Laboratory at University Hospital, scientists and lab technicians are using a new method in testing for tuberculosis (TB). Rather than the traditional skin test, which can produce false positive results, the lab is using a highly accurate blood test.

University of Missouri Health Care’s Department of Pathology and Anatomical Sciences will host a seminar about this interferon-based blood test for tuberculosis from 1 to 3 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5, in the MU Reynolds Alumni Center, Columns Ballroom A and B.

UPDATE #2:

Laboratory Alliance, New York, were able to announce the advantages of using QFT-GIT;

The Microbiology Department of Laboratory Alliance of Central New York, LLC, now offers the in-house performance of the QuantiFERON® -TB Gold test by the “In-Tube Method” which uses 3 rather than 2 mycobacterial proteins for increased sensitivity.

In addition, there are some user-friendly changes to specimen collection and processing.