QuantiFERON®-TB Gold Plus Blood Test

Formal Name of the Test:
QuantiFERON®-TB Gold Plus

Other Names Used:
TB Gold, QFT Gold Plus, QFT TB, QFT Plus, IGRA

Sample Required:
Whole blood

Test Overview:
This is a blood-based interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) for diagnosing Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. It’s an immune response-based, indirect test for M tuberculosis infection (including disease) that’s meant to be used in conjunction with risk assessment, radiography, and other medical and diagnostic evaluations. To identify whether a person who has tested positive has latent tuberculosis (TB) infection or TB illness, more testing is required. This in vitro diagnostic test stimulates cells in heparinized whole blood with a peptide cocktail that mimics ESAT-6, CFP-10, and TB7.7 proteins. Interferon- (IFN-) detection through ELISA is used to identify in vitro responses to peptide antigens linked to Mycobacterium TB infection.

Test Preparation:
There is no need for any prior preparation.

Test Performed at:
Quest Diagnostics, Test Code 36971. This test requires the use of a special collection kit, which may or may not be available at all Quest locations. Before going to the lab, check with your local Quest collection site to see if they have the collection kit in stock.

Click here to go to Quest Diagnostics page for this test