There are an estimated 80,000 people with a latent TB infection in Clark County according to the Southern Nevada Health District
Henderson, Nev. – October 12, 2022 – MDX Labs, Southern Nevada’s hometown, high-complexity laboratory, is announcing a new testing method for tuberculosis disease (TB) and latent tuberculosis infection (LTI), providing a 95 percent accurate result while reducing turnaround time in half.
The announcement of the T-Spot.TB test, available in Clark County only through MDX Labs, further illustrates MDX Labs’ continuing commitment to offering access to cutting-edge testing and laboratory services in Southern Nevada. Unlike the standard tuberculin skin test method, no follow-up visit is required to receive results.
“We believe accurate results provided in a shorter amount of time is a huge benefit to clinics, health centers, correctional facilities, employers, and other entities that require TB testing regularly,” said Dan Briggs, President & CEO of MDX Labs. “Faster results also reduce the amount of time TB can spread should someone test positive for the disease.”
The Southern Nevada Health District estimates there are 80,000 people with latent TB infection in Clark County, and most new cases of TB disease come from this pool of people.
Persons with latent TB infection do not feel sick or have any symptoms. They are infected with M. tuberculosis but do not have TB disease. The only sign of infection is a positive reaction to the tuberculin skin test or TB blood test. Persons with latent TB infection are not infectious and cannot spread TB infection to others. However, without treatment, 5 to 10 percent of those with a latent TB infection will develop TB disease, which is infectious and can be spread to others. In many people, TB bacteria overcome the immune system’s defenses and begin to multiply, resulting in the progression from latent TB infection to TB disease.
There are three primary ways to test for TB:
- The tuberculin skin test is more than 100 years old and pre-dates the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) establishment. The test requires two provider visits to obtain a result and offers a low accuracy rate as the test cannot account for many patient conditions.
- The QuantiFeron TB Gold test requires the use of four different blood collection tubes. The test accuracy can be affected by the amount of blood collected, a patient’s low white blood cell count, blood incubation delays, interfering substances, and improper shaking of blood tubes. Additionally, impaired or altered immune functions, immunosuppressive drugs, and conditions such as diabetes and hematological disorders can also affect the accuracy of test results. This test is not recommended for those under 17 years of age. Results typically take 4-5 days.
- By comparison, the T-Spot.TB test offers interpretable results 95 percent of the time. It can correct for low white blood cell counts, interfering substances, and other factors, which reduces the likelihood of an inaccurate result. There is one blood draw, and the results are reported in two days.
The T-Spot.TB test is $120 and covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and most insurance companies, providing results in two days.
Patients seeking a T-Spot.TB test can call MDX Labs at 844-888-0409 to schedule an appointment, or schedule online at labdsmdx.com. Additionally, MDX Labs offers concierge services for companies with an ongoing need for on-site TB testing.
MDX Labs is also working with local shelters to provide access to fast and accurate TB testing for the most vulnerable in our community.
