TY - JOUR T1 - Discordance between TSTs and IFN-γ release assays: the role of NTM and the relevance of mycobacterial sensitins JF - European Respiratory Journal JO - Eur Respir J SP - 214 LP - 215 DO - 10.1183/09031936.00025510 VL - 36 IS - 1 AU - M. Tebruegge AU - T. Connell AU - N. Ritz AU - P.A. Bryant AU - N. Curtis Y1 - 2010/07/01 UR - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/36/1/214.abstract N2 - To the Editors: We read with interest the recent study by Latorre et al. 1 entitled “Evaluating the non-tuberculous mycobacteria effect in the tuberculosis infection diagnosis”. We agree that discordance between tuberculin skin tests (TSTs) and interferon (IFN)-γ release assays (IGRAs) presents physicians with a considerable management dilemma when evaluating children for latent tuberculosis (TB) infection (LTBI) in routine clinical practice. We have previously urged caution in the interpretation of discordant results and have highlighted this area as a research priority 2, 3. We therefore commend the authors for investigating a potential underlying cause of discordance. However, we believe that the interpretation of the data presented by Latorre et al. 1 is based on erroneous assumptions, and that as a result the conclusions are overstated. We suggest that a more cautious and contextualised interpretation of the study findings is warranted. As indicated by Latorre et al. 1, previous bacille Calmette–Guérin immunisation and exposure to non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are frequently cited as the primary factors underlying discordance between TSTs and IGRAs, although … ER -