Strining the friendship

Over on sharscene "alar" says

Western Australia is now using IGRA in preference to TST for immigrant screening

but that is just so not what they said;

Either a Mantoux test or a blood-based interferon–γ release assay (IGRA) may be used for screening.

Further on they are a little more expansive

At present, the Mantoux test remains the preferred method of investigation for LTBI pending further evaluation of IGRAs. However, it is recognised that IGRAs are currently used for LTBI screening in some jurisdictions and may be used more widely in the future. A patient with a positive IGRA test result should be referred to the local TB services for consideration of latent LTBI treatment. NTAC regularly reviews the use of IGRAs and publishes its Position Statements at www.health.gov.au/ntac.

So from this we know that NTAC are influencing the uptake of IGRAS in Australia. Now consider this;

Imagine the uptake if NTAC made QFT the preferred diagnostic.


.