Final answer:
Interferon gamma release assays are tests that detect the immune response to tuberculosis by measuring interferon-gamma levels in blood. These assays are similar to others like lateral flow tests used for various diagnoses such as pregnancy and disease detection and are essential in managing TB infections.
Step-by-step explanation:
Interferon Gamma Release Assays:
Interferon gamma release assays (IGRAs) are medical tests used to detect the immune response to the tuberculosis bacteria. Unlike traditional tuberculin skin tests, IGRAs measure how the immune system reacts to TB bacteria by producing a cytokine called interferon-gamma.
These assays are built upon the principle that certain immunochromatographic assays, such as lateral flow tests, are sensitive and specific enough to diagnose diseases. Lateral flow tests are popular due to their convenience for point-of-care and in-home use, such as pregnancy and disease screening.
The technology behind IGRAs capitalizes on the ability of interferons to act as cytokines released by virus-infected cells, helping neighboring cells to stem the infection. This biological mechanism is the foundation for IGRAs, which analyze blood for the presence of interferon gamma, indicating an immune response characteristic of latent or active tuberculosis infection.