TB Blood Tests

An Interferon Gamma Release Assay (IGRA), or TB blood test, is a method for detecting infection with M. tuberculosis. It is an acceptable alternative to the TB skin test in most situations. QuantiFERON®-TB Gold In-Tube and T-SPOT.TB® are the trade names of the TB blood tests that are currently available in Minnesota.

Contact laboratories in your area to find out whether they offer these tests. The Minnesota Department of Health does not maintain a list of laboratories that offer IGRA testing.

• Use of Interferon Gamma Release Assays to Detect Latent Tuberculosis Infection in Foreign-Born Persons - Recommendations from the Minnesota Department of Health (PDF)
  Recommendations from MDH.
  
   
• Clinical Testing Guidance for Tuberculosis: Interferon Gamma Release Assay
  Fact sheet from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) discusses test advantages, disadvantages, limitations, and interpretation.
  
   
• Updated Guidelines for Using Interferon Gamma Release Assays to Detect Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection - United States, 2010 
  CDC guidelines dated June 25, 2010.
  
   
• Guidelines for TB Blood Testing (PDF)
  Overview of guidelines for using TB blood tests (Interferon Gamma Release Assays or IGRAs).
  
   
• Tuberculosis (TB) Blood Test (IGRA)
  Patient education fact sheet describing the TB blood test.