American Bio-Clinical Laboratories is pleased to announce we are now performing the QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube (QFT) assay. QuantiFERON-TB Gold is an indirect test for the detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection.
The test requires special TB Gold collection tubes available through our Client Service department. There are three tubes that require 1ml of blood. The tubes have a vacuum, but with a 1ml draw, they fill very slowly. There is a black mark on the tubes as a fill line; if the blood level is not close to the fill line, obtain another sample. After collection, shake the tubes 10 times to ensure that the inner surface of the tube is coated in blood. This will dissolve the coatings on the walls of the tubes. The collection tubes should be kept at room temperature; do not refrigerate or freeze. Please place in a specimen bag and mark STORE AT ROOM TEMPERATURE. They must reach the laboratory within 16 hours of collection.
QFT testing has several advantages over tuberculin skin testing.
- QFT is accomplished in one visit.
- QFT is not affected by BCG vaccination.
- QFT is >99% specific, virtually eliminating false-positive readings.
- QFT is not subject to boosting, eliminating the need for 2-step testing.
If you have any question, please call Paul Hoyt, Operations Manager, at 323-222-6688.