TB Gold Test Price in Jharapada

Test Description

QuantiFERON-TB Gold (QFT) is an Interferon-Gamma Release Assay (IGRA) used to detect cell-mediated immune responses to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB), indicating infection with TB. The test measures interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) release from sensitised CD4+ T-lymphocytes in whole blood when stimulated with MTB-specific antigens: ESAT-6 (Early Secreted Antigenic Target-6), CFP-10 (Culture Filtrate Protein-10), and TB7.7. Unlike the tuberculin skin test (TST/Mantoux), TB Gold is not affected by prior BCG vaccination or exposure to most non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), making it significantly more specific. TB Gold detects both latent TB infection (LTBI) and active TB infection, but cannot distinguish between the two; clinical, microbiological, and imaging findings are required to differentiate. A positive QFT indicates MTB infection (latent or active). A negative result does not exclude very recent infection (within 8 weeks) or disease in immunocompromised patients. TB Gold is indicated for: LTBI screening in healthcare workers, HIV-positive individuals, patients initiating immunosuppressive therapy (biologics, anti-TNF agents, corticosteroids), organ transplant candidates, and contacts of pulmonary TB cases. TB Gold Plus (updated version) uses two TB antigen tubes and a mitogen tube, offering improved sensitivity in immunocompromised populations.