In Ukraine, innovative quantiferon tests are used to detect tuberculosis infection.
Currently, two methods of detecting latent tuberculosis are used in the country. This is the Mantoux test, which used to be done to all children, and the quantiferon test, a more modern and accurate (but also more expensive) laboratory test, which is currently recommended by the WHO and the standards of medical care "Tuberculosis".
What is the difference?
If the accuracy of the Mantoux test is 55-95% and can be false-negative due to previous BCG vaccination or even the presence of a non-tuberculous mycobacterial infection, the accuracy of the quanti-feron test is 98-100%. In addition, to conduct a Mantoux test, you need to visit a medical institution at least twice: for the test and for an examination after 48-72 hours.
Currently, free quantiferon tests are prescribed to diagnose children from risk groups, in particular those who have been in contact or are in contact with a tuberculosis patient. This is the most vulnerable group, because children are infected with tuberculosis from their parents or close friends. In addition to children, adults who had/have contact with a tuberculosis patient, medical workers and internally displaced persons (IDPs) are at risk.
With the help of quantiferon tests, Ukrainian doctors managed to change the approach to choosing a treatment regimen and consolidate the effect of treatment with short-term courses.
In 2023, 1,006 quantiferon tests were conducted in 9 regions: Vinnytsia, Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhya, Kyiv, Kirovohrad, Ternopil, Khmelnytskyi, and Cherkasy regions and in the city of Kyiv, with the support of a grant from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria. In 2024, it is planned to purchase about 3,200 tests, which will also be carried out on the basis of disease control and prevention centers (CDCs) in all regions of Ukraine.
Reference: currently, both research methods are used to diagnose latent tuberculosis infection. Therefore, patients should consult a family doctor, who will determine which method will be more appropriate.
Ministry of Health of Ukraine