Predictive value for progression to tuberculosis by IGRA and TST in immigrant contacts

The authors determined the positive predictive value (PPV) for progression to tuberculosis (TB) of two interferon-gamma release assays (IGRAs), QuantiFERON-TB (R) Gold In-tube (QFT-GIT) and T-SPOT. TB (R), and the tuberculin skin test (TST) in immigrants contacts. Immigrant close contacts of sputum smear-positive TB patients were included when aged >= 16 yrs and their TST result was >= 5 mm 0 or 3 months after diagnosis of the index patient. Contacts were followed for the next 2 yrs for development of TB disease. Of 339 immigrant contacts with TST >= 5 mm, 324 and 299 had valid results of QFT-GIT and T-SPOT. TB (R), respectively. Nine contacts developed active TB. One patient had not been tested with TST, while another patient had not been tested with QFT-GIT and T-SPOT. TB (R). The PPV for progression to TB during this period was 9/288=3.1% (95% CI 1.3-5.0%) for TST >= 10 mm, 7/184=3.8% (95% CI 1.7-5.9%) for TST >= 15 mm, 5/178=2.8% (95% CI 1.0-4.6%) for QFT-GIT and 6/181=3.3% (95% CI 1.3-5.3%) for T-SPOT. TB (R). Sensitivity was 100%, 88%, 63% and 75%, respectively. The predictive values of QFT-GIT, T-SPOT. TB (R) and TST for progression to TB disease among immigrant close contacts were comparable.Immunogenetics and cellular immunology of bacterial infectious disease

Mycobacterial growth inhibition is associated with trained innate immunity

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Structure and Properties of Nanoparticles Formed by Ion Implantation

This chapter broadly describes the formation, basic microstructure, and fundamental optoelectronic properties of nanocomposites synthesized by ion implantation. It is not meant as a complete literature survey and by no means includes all references on a subject that has seen a considerable amount of research effort in the past 15 years. However, it should be a good starting point for those new to the field and in a concise way summarize the main lines of research by discussing the optical, magnetic, and smart properties of these nanoparticles and the dependence of these properties on the overall microstructure. The chapter concludes with an outlook for the future