Quantiferon TB Gold Plus - $90

• The Quantiferon TB Gold Plus test is a blood test that screens for active and latent tuberculosis infection. See test details below for more information on how it works.
• The test has the following advantages over TB skin testing (PPD): does not require a follow-up visit; is more sensitive; not affected by previous BCG vaccination.
• Testing performed after exposure should be done 8 - 10 weeks after the most recent known exposure

Quantiferon TB Gold Plus details

• Quantiferon TB Gold Plus works by measuring the amount of interferon-gamma (an inflammatory mediator) released from T cells upon exposure to tuberculosis antigens. Patients infected with tuberculosis will have primed memory T cells that quickly release large amounts of interferon-gamma; T cells in uninfected patients will not be primed and do not release interferon-gamma when exposed to tuberculosis antigens.


• Test results are based on measurements taken from 4 separate tubes of blood:
• Nil tube - the nil tube measures the amount of interferon-gamma activity in blood that has not been exposed to an antigen. This is the amount of background interferon-gamma activity.
• Mitogen tube - the mitogen tube measures the amount of interferon-gamma activity in blood after exposure to a nonspecific T-cell stimulator. This tube ensures that T cells are present and able to produce interferon-gamma.
• TB1 tube - the TB1 tube measures the amount of interferon-gamma release after exposure to 2 tuberculosis antigens. This primarily detects CD4 T cell responses.
• TB2 tube - the TB2 tube measures the amount of interferon-gamma release after exposure to 2 tuberculosis antigens and a peptide designed to stimulate TB-specific CD8 T cells. This detects CD4 and CD8 T cell responses.


• Advantages of Quantiferon test over TB skin testing:
  • Quantiferon test does not require a follow-up visit
  • Quantiferon test interpretation is objective
  • Quantiferon test is more sensitive (90% vs 80%)
  • Quantiferon test is unaffected by previous BCG vaccination
  • Previous Quantiferon testing does not boost subsequent testing, whereas previous TB skin tests can increase the chance of a false-positive skin test

HOW IT WORKS

1. Labs through Texas Telemedicine Doctor are performed at Clinical Pathology Laboratories (CPL). You can find the nearest location here - CPL locations.
2. Click on the "Buy now" button and pay securely through Stripe. You do not need to see a doctor. There are no other costs, no hidden "draw fees" at checkout, and you do not pay CPL anything. We can order any lab, so if there is a specific lab you are interested in, please email us (contact@texastelemedicinedoctor.com), and we will get you a price. We can also order any lab through Quest®.
3. After you pay for the labs, you will be taken to a form where you provide the information we need to order your labs.
4. You will receive a lab slip in your email. If you order your labs during regular business hours (8 AM - 5 PM, M - F), you will receive the lab slip within 3 hours. If you order your labs outside of business hours, you will receive the lap slip within 12 hours. If time is of the essence, you can text us at 512-588-2507, and we can tell you how soon we can get you your lab slip.
5. Go to the lab with your lab slip and have your specimen(s) drawn. You can walk in to any CPL location (CPL locations). You do not need an appointment.
6. Receive your results via secure, HIPAA-compliant email, typically within 3 days. Please note that the Quantiferon TB Gold Plus test can take up to 6 days to come back.