IGRAs offer several advantages over the Tuberculin Skin Test (TST):
- Specificity: IGRAs are more specific because they do not react with the BCG vaccine or most non-tuberculous mycobacteria. - Convenience: IGRAs require only one visit to the healthcare provider, unlike TST which requires a follow-up visit. - Objective Results: IGRAs provide quantitative results, reducing the subjectivity and potential for error associated with reading TST results. - No Booster Phenomenon: IGRAs do not cause a booster effect, which can occur with repeated TSTs.
