Editorial Commentary: Is the In Vitro Interferon‐γ Release Assay an Adequate Replacement for the Tuberculin Skin Test?

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Tuberculosis takes an enormous toll on humankind. The impact of Mycobacterium tuberculosis has not been weakened despite the availability of effective antituberculosis agents. Industrialized countries recorded a net decline in the incidence of tuberculosis during the 20th century, but, unfortunately, developing countries continue to witness the spread of this disease at a frightening and increasing pace. On the verge of the 21st century, ã8 million people globally were newly infected with M. tuberculosis, 95% of them in developing countries, and 2 million deaths resulted from uncontained infections per year. Thus, tuberculosis remains a leading killer [1].