Indeterminant Interferon-γ Release Assays in Refugee Children with Splenomegaly, Uganda, 2020–2023

TL;DR

Refugee children in Uganda with enlarged spleens are more likely to have unclear interferon-γ test results, suggesting a possible link between spleen size and immune test outcomes.

Contribution

The study identifies a novel association between splenomegaly and indeterminate interferon-γ release assays in refugee children.

Findings

Children with splenomegaly were 4 times more likely to have indeterminate interferon-γ release assay results.

Over 10% of children aged 2–4 years had indeterminate results regardless of spleen size.

Abstract

We observed a novel association between splenomegaly and indeterminate interferon-γ release assays in refugee children 5–14 years of age in Uganda. Those demonstrating splenomegaly were 4 times more likely to have indeterminate results. Among refugee children 2–4 years of age, >10% had indeterminate results even without splenomegaly.