It is possible to have a negative skin test for tuberculosis and a positive QuantiFERON-TB Gold test

the verdict

SUPPORTED

the evidence backs this

Recorded sources

5 sources for · 0 against

Counts group repeated records of the same source within each side. They do not measure evidence strength or source independence.

Is it true that it is possible to have a negative skin test for tuberculosis and a positive QuantiFERON-TB Gold test?

Yes. Clinical studies consistently show that tuberculin skin tests and QuantiFERON-TB blood tests frequently yield discordant results, making it entirely possible to have a negative skin test alongside a positive QuantiFERON test.

Verdict: SUPPORTED · 5 sources for, 0 against · Last checked 4 Aug 2026

The analysis

The retrieved literature extensively documents instances of discordance between the tuberculin skin test (TST) and interferon-gamma release assays (IGRAs) like QuantiFERON-TB Gold. Numerous studies report patients who are TST-negative but QuantiFERON-positive, confirming the claim. There is no evidence refuting this physiological and diagnostic discrepancy.

Evidence for · 5

Discordance of Tuberculin Skin Test and Interferon Gamma Release Assay in Recently Exposed Household Contacts of Pulmonary TB Cases in Brazil

2014

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Ribeiro-Rodrigues, R., Kim, S., Silva, F. D. C. d., Uzelac, A., Collins, L., Palaci, M., Alland, D., Dietze, R., Ellner, J., Jones-López, E., & Salgame, P. (2014). Discordance of Tuberculin Skin Test and Interferon Gamma Release Assay in Recently Exposed Household Contacts of Pulmonary TB Cases in Brazil. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0096564

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More for · 4

Screening for latent tuberculosis in Norwegian health care workers: high frequency of discordant tuberculin skin test positive and interferon-gamma release assay negative results

2013

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Gran, G., Aßmus, J., & Dyrhol-Riise, A. M. (2013). Screening for latent tuberculosis in Norwegian health care workers: high frequency of discordant tuberculin skin test positive and interferon-gamma release assay negative results. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-13-353

<i>Mycobacterium Tuberculosis</i> Infection, Immigration Status, and Diagnostic Discordance: A Comparison of Tuberculin Skin Test and QuantiFERON®-TB Gold in-Tube Test among Immigrants to the U.S.

2016

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Wilson, F. A., Miller, T. L., & Stimpson, J. P. (2016). <i>Mycobacterium Tuberculosis</i>
                    Infection, Immigration Status, and Diagnostic Discordance: A Comparison of Tuberculin Skin Test and QuantiFERON®-TB Gold in-Tube Test among Immigrants to the U.S.. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1177/003335491613100214

Utility of QuantiFERON®-TB gold In-Tube test compared with tuberculin skin test in diagnosing tuberculosis in Indian children with malnutrition

2019

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Boddu, D., Verghese, V., Michael, J., Chacko, A., & Jeyaseelan, V. (2019). Utility of QuantiFERON®-TB gold In-Tube test compared with tuberculin skin test in diagnosing tuberculosis in Indian children with malnutrition. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.4103/ijmm.IJMM_19_227

Positivity rate of QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus<sup>®</sup> test among candidates for biotherapy and factors influencing results.

2026

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H, M., H, A. H., S, N., M, A., M, K., K, B., S, Z., Y, M., S, T., & SS, S. (2026). Positivity rate of QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus<sup>®</sup> test among candidates for biotherapy and factors influencing results.. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1177/20503121261440443

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first checked04 Aug 2026

judged → SUPPORTED · 8404 Aug 2026

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