Tuberculosis Testing in
the 21st Century: The Role of
Interferon-Gamma Release Assays

Webcast Series

Globally, infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB) is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality. Accurate diagnosis of latent TB is a key part of management strategies to improve patient health care outcomes associated with TB, especially in patients who receive immunosuppressive and biologic therapies. The webcast series,Tuberculosis Testing in the 21st Century: The Role of Interferon-Gamma Release Assays, is designed for health care professionals with an interest in a multidisciplinary approach to the screening and prevention of tuberculosis in these patients. Enhancements include downloadable audio and slide sets.

Webcasts
	100 Years of TB Testing John J. Cush, MD
	Estimated Time: 30 minutes Release Date:   March 2, 2012 Type: Webcast	Technical Requirements: Flash Player Expiration Date:   March 2, 2014 Specialties:  Rheumatology, Infectious Disease, Gastroenterology, Dermatology
	Detection of Latent TB infection in the Immunosuppressed Patient – Defining the Utility of IGRA in a Vulnerable Population Arthur Kavanaugh, MD
	Estimated Time: 15 minutes Release Date:   March 2, 2012 Type: Webcast	Technical Requirements: Flash Player Expiration Date:   March 2, 2014 Specialties:  Rheumatology, Infectious Disease, Gastroenterology, Dermatology
	Tuberculosis and Biologics: Relating Mechanisms of Action to Immunopathogenesis of Granulomatous Infections Xavier Mariette, MD
	Estimated Time: 15 minutes Release Date:   March 2, 2012 Type: Webcast	Technical Requirements: Flash Player Expiration Date:   March 2, 2014 Specialties:  Rheumatology, Infectious Disease, Gastroenterology, Dermatology
	Tuberculosis in Twenty Minutes Kevin L. Winthrop MD, MPH
	Estimated Time: 30 minutes Release Date:   March 2, 2012 Type: Webcast	Technical Requirements: Flash Player Expiration Date:   March 2, 2014 Specialties:  Rheumatology, Infectious Disease, Gastroenterology, Dermatology
	Tuberculosis Testing in the 21st Century Interactive Case Discussion Leonard Calabrese, DO; John J. Cush, MD; Arthur Kavanaugh, MD; Xavier Mariette, MD; Kevin L. Winthrop, MD
	Estimated Time: 30 minutes Release Date:   March 2, 2012 Type: Webcast	Technical Requirements: Flash Player Expiration Date:   March 2, 2014 Specialties: Rheumatology, Infectious Disease, Gastroenterology, Dermatology

Series Objectives

1. Summarize the global health policies, clinical strategies, and therapeutic issues involved in the diagnosis and management of latent tuberculosis infection.
2. Describe the immunologic and technical basis of IGRA testing and discuss the characteristics of commercially available assays.
3. Critically appraise current data on the comparative utility of IGRA testing in screening for latent TB in a population enriched with immunosuppressed patients.
4. Apply appropriate clinical decision-making methods to case studies involving complex issue in TB management including anergy, BCG vaccination exposure, atypical Mycobacterial infections, and test conversion and reversion.

Target Audience

This activity is directed to rheumatologists, dermatologists, gastroenterologists, infectious disease clinicians, and allied health professionals, including nurse practitioners and physician assistants.