COVID-19 and SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination Do Not Affect IGRAs Accuracy in TB Diagnosis

Strategic Insights -

A recent study published in The International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease has investigated the impact of COVID-19 and SARS-CoV-2 vaccination on the accuracy of Interferon-Gamma Release Assays (IGRAs) in tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis. The research, conducted by a team of scientists from IRCCS Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri, found that COVID-19 or SARS-CoV-2 vaccination does not affect IGRA interpretation, except in a small number of severe cases observed during the pandemic's peak.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study aimed to examine whether COVID-19 or SARS-CoV-2 vaccination affects the accuracy of IGRAs by increasing the indeterminate rate.
  • A systematic review found an overall pooled effect size (equivalent to the indeterminate results) of 0.26 (95% confidence: 0.205-0.32) for QuantiFERON TB Plus (QFT-TB) with a mean true effect size of 0.26 (95% prediction interval: 0.11-0.5).
  • Other studies confirmed the link between IGRA results and disease severity.
  • The use of IGRAs is not significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic or vaccinations, except in a small number of severe cases observed during the pandemic's peak.
  • The research concluded that IGRAs' reliability remains consistent with their pre-pandemic performance.
  • The study's findings have been peer-reviewed and published in The International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease.

Statistics:

  • 95% confidence interval: 0.205-0.32
  • 95% prediction interval: 0.11-0.5
  • Pooled effect size: 0.26 for QuantiFERON TB Plus (QFT-TB)

Sources:

  • Evaluating the Impact of Covid-19 or Sars-cov-2 Vaccination On Tb Infection Testing In the Context of Tb Elimination. The International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, 2025;29(7):293-298.
  • IRCCS Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri, Serv Epidemiol Clin Malattie Resp, Via Roncaccio 16, I-21049 Tradate, Varese, Italy.
  • Int Union Against Tuberculosis Lung Disease (I U a T L D), 68 Boulevard Saint-Michel, 75006 Paris, France.