A 21st Century Solution for Latent TB Detection
T‑SPOT.TB is a revolutionary in vitro diagnostic test that measures T cells specific to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) antigens. Based on the pioneering T-SPOT technology, it was developed for diagnosing both latent TB infection and TB disease in humans. T-SPOT.TB sets new clinical standards of sensitivity and reliability, even in the immunocompromised. The product was licensed in the European Union in July 2004, received FDA premarket approval in July 2008 and is expected to replace the current tuberculin skin test, bringing effective TB testing to many new patient groups where the skin test gives poor results.
This revolutionary technology has been described in a significant number of peer-reviewed publications which highlight the tests excellent performance in a wide range of clinical and epidemiological settings (see clinical information) . These studies confirm the excellent sensitivity and specificity of T‑SPOT.TB and demonstrate its utility for the diagnosis and control of TB around the world, especially for latent TB in the developed world.
The test offers hope at a time when TB has re-emerged as a major global health threat. Nearly one third of the world's population is infected with MTB. Nine million people develop active disease every year and TB kills an estimated 2-3 million people each year (one person every 15 seconds). The huge toll of TB on human life prompted the World Health Organisation to declare TB a "global emergency" in 1993.
T‑SPOT.TB offers:
Unrivalled clinical performance
Simple and robust laboratory performance
Saves costs in TB control