New single-visit TB test first in Valley
A new and more convenient single-visit tuberculosis (TB) test is set to debut at Community Regional Medical Center this June.
The new TB test is the only one of its kind in the region, requiring just one visit by patients replacing the multiple-visit skin tests that have been around for decades.
The old skin tests required patients to return to the test site two days after the test is administered to have the result read. But the new third-generation QuantiFERON-TB Gold test is performed by drawing a blood sample.
“Between Tulare and Sacramento we’re the only ones offering the test,” said Marilyn Mitchell, microbiology supervisor in Community’s clinical lab.
Tuberculosis is an infectious disease that can affect almost any tissue of the body. Dr. Dominic Dizon, a faculty member with the UCSF Fresno Medical Education Program, was involved in research for the single-visit test, which was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in October.
“I wanted the Valley to be up to par, to be state-of-the-art. People have been doing the skin test for 100 years – back then we just started using automobiles,” Dr. Dizon joked. “I think it’s time for a new test.”
The new test offers increased accuracy and leaves less guesswork than the current skin tests where allergic reactions to the test can sometimes be mistaken for a positive reading, Mitchell said. The new test is not affected by previous vaccinations on patients.
The single-visit test is available at several of Community Medical Centers’ facilities, including Community Regional, Clovis Community Medical Center, clinics and other outpatient sites. Once the rollout is complete, Dr. Dizon expects the new test will be used more commonly as a way to screen for TB. Fresno County has ranked as high as fourth in the state in TB infection rates in the past few years said Dr. Dizon. So far young children, pregnant women and those with HIV should not take the new test due to insufficient data on these specific populations.
This story was reported by Eddie Hughes. He can be reached at eddieh@communitymedical.org.