ESAT6/CFP10 Skin Testing for TB Infection in Rheumatologic Patients
The Use of a Novel ESAT6/CFP10 Skin Test in Diagnosis of Latent Tuberculosis Infection Among Rheumatologic Patients
About This Trial
The aim of the study is to pilot the application of a novel ESAT6/CFP10 (C-TST) skin test in rheumatologic disease patients prior to initiation of treatment with biologic and/or targeted synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (b/tsDMARD). This is a prospective observational study involving the recruitment of patients with rheumatologic diseases who are planned for initiation of b/tsDMARD. Eligible patients would undergo skin testing by the Mantoux technique with purified protein derivative (PPD) RT23 on one forearm and C-TST on the other, alongside routine blood sampling for Interferon-Gamma Release Assay. The skin test results would be read within 48-72 hours afterwards. Treatment of TB infection would be provided in accordance with current clinical guidelines, followed by regular clinical monitoring for 2 years. Analyses involve performance evaluation of C-TST, and decision-analytical modelling incorporating multiple Markov process to evaluate the impact of management by LTBI testing methods on clinical outcomes and health care costs.
Who May Be Eligible (Plain English)
Original Eligibility Criteria
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Treatments Being Tested
ESAT6/CFP10 skin test
Each recruited participant would be offered standard tuberculin skin test (TST) and ESAT6/CFP10 (C-TST) skin test on the same day or setting of clinical visit. TST and C-TST would be performed by the Mantoux technique with intradermal injection of 2U purified protein derivative-RT23 on one forearm and 5U (1.0µg/0.1 ml) of recombinant fusion protein ESAT6-CFP10 on the other forearm respectively.