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

**Authors:** Christina R. Phares, Moses Mwesigwa, Sean R. Toney

PMC · DOI: 10.3201/eid3203.251200 · 2026-03-01

## 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.

## Key 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.

## Full-text entities

- **Genes:** IFNG (interferon gamma) [NCBI Gene 3458] {aka IFG, IFI, IMD69}
- **Diseases:** immune dysregulation (OMIM:614878), TB (MESH:D014376), Splenomegaly (MESH:D013163), malaria (MESH:D008288), HIV infection (MESH:D015658), infection (MESH:D007239), parasites (MESH:D010272), anemia (MESH:D000740), helminthiases (MESH:D006373)
- **Chemicals:** QuantiFERON-TB Gold (-)

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC13016002