TB test for children two and older
The T-SPOT.TB test is the only IGRA cleared by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for your patients two and older, including your BCG-vaccinated patients, healthy patients and patients with compromised immune systems.1
For everyone over the age of two
Only IGRA cleared by FDA for ages two and up1
When it comes to children, you know that not all diagnostic tests have the same accuracy in pediatric populations as they do in adults. Fortunately, the T-SPOT.TB test produces reliable results in both children and adults.1
Did you know?
The T-SPOT.TB test is also the only interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) without a warning in its package insert for screening immunocompromised patients.1,2
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Easy1
The younger the patient, the smaller the blood sample
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Accurate1
The only TB test with both sensitivity and specificity exceeding 95% and no cross-reaction with the BCG-vaccine
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Accessible
Available through all Quest Diagnostics® Patient Service Centers and numerous regional laboratory partners
One way to keep kids out of the waiting room during a pandemic
From virtual and augmented reality, to smart pills and artificial intelligence, children’s hospitals are leveraging advanced technology and trends that will forever change the way they deliver care. While prior generations would be impressed by these technological advancements, there are techniques still in clinical use that these earlier generations would say, “Why are they still doing that?” There is a test in daily use at children’s hospitals across the US that pre-dates World War II, Wrigley Field and the Titanic: the tuberculin skin test (TST).
Here are two benefits of switching to a TB test like the T-SPOT.TB test for improved patient care:
- Reduced patient encounters: The T-SPOT.TB test can be collected and then resulted in one visit. The TST still requires two visits—one for the application and one for the reading. This is a simple and safe approach to reducing patient encounters by 50%.
- Screening accuracy: The CDC notes that while the TST is simple to perform and does not require phlebotomy, the test does require trained personnel to administer the intradermal injection, is subject to variability in interpretation and has risk of false positive results due to cross-reactivity to both the BCG vaccine and non-TB mycobacteria.
A moment of truth
As a healthcare provider, your goal is to offer your pediatric patients a reliable tuberculosis (TB) test. The T-SPOT.TB test is that test. By counting the cells, it mitigates the risk that low cell count will impact patient results.3 Cells are washed to prevent interference from substances or contaminants and then counted to ensure that a standard number of cells, 1 million, are used in the assay.1 You need an answer you can trust. An accurate TB test along with your clinical evaluation of the patient will give you that answer, and a moment of truth you can count on.
Reduce unnecessary return visits and treatments
- In a study of > 3,600 children under the age of 15, switching from the tuberculin skin test (TST) to an IGRA could reduce unnecessary chest x-rays and treatments by up to two-thirds in non-US born children.4
- In study of over > 645,000 samples, the T-SPOT.TB test had an invalid rate of < 1%.5
1 tube, 1 visit and low blood volume requirements1
- Children 10 years old and over: 1 sodium or lithium heparin 6 mL tube
- Children > 2 or < 10 years old: 1 sodium or lithium heparin 4 mL tube
- Children up to 2 years old: 1 sodium or lithium heparin 2 mL pediatric tube*
Did you know?
Samples can be drawn using a butterfly needle without the use of a purge tube. Many butterfly needles have the same needle gauge as a TST.6
Guidelines support IGRA testing
| Guideline | Recommendation by population |
| American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) 20187 | IGRAs are indicated in ages 2 and up, and preferred in children who are BCG-vaccinated or unlikely to return to have TST read |
| Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), American Thoracic Society (ATS) and Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 20178 | Ages 5 and up, IGRAs indicated, especially in those who are not high risk for progressing to active TB |
| CDC Civil Surgeons 20189 | IGRAs required in ages 2 and up – All applicants 2 years or older must have an IGRA – TST cannot be used as a substitute for IGRA testing |