Author(s):
Marisa Setiawan, Puspa Wardhani, Hartono Kahar, Munawaroh Fitriah, Lita Diah Rahmawati
Email(s):
puspa-w-2@fk.unair.ac.id
DOI:
10.52711/0974-360X.2026.00477 
Address:
Marisa Setiawan1,2, Puspa Wardhani3,4*, Hartono Kahar3,4, Munawaroh Fitriah3,4, Lita Diah Rahmawati5,6
1Clinical Pathology Specialization Programme, Dr. Soetomo General Academic Hospital, Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia.
2Clinical Pathology Specialization Programme, Faculty of Medicine-Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia.
3Department of Clinical Pathology, Dr. Soetomo General Academic Hospital, Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia.
4Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine-Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia.
5Department of Internal Medicine, Dr. Soetomo General Academic Hospital, Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia.
6Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine-Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia.
*Corresponding Author
Published In:
Volume - 19,
Issue - 7,
Year - 2026
ABSTRACT:
Background: While immunosuppressant therapy is the primary option to manage autoimmune rheumatic diseases, it may increase the risk of reactivated tuberculosis (TB) infections. One of the recommended examinations for latent TB is the interferon-gamma (IFN-?) release assay (IGRA). Since immunosuppressant therapy can cause false negative IGRA results, some studies have advised using flow cytometry to confirm IFN-? production. This study aimed to investigate the effect of immunosuppressant therapy on T cells IFN-? production from autoimmune rheumatic disease patients in response to M. TB virulence factors ESAT-6 and CFP-10, detected using the T-SPOT.TB IGRA and flow cytometry. Methods: This analytical observational study employed a cross-sectional design and included 57 patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases. ESAT-6- and CFP-10-induced T cells IFN-? production was detected using the T-SPOT.TB IGRA and flow cytometry. The immunosuppressant therapy effect on the T-SPOT.TB IGRA and flow cytometry IFN-? results were examined using logistic regression. Results: Among the 57 patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases, 43 (75%) had received immunosuppressant therapy. Most patients were female (89%). The most common diagnosis was spondyloarthritis. The most common immunosuppressant therapy was conventional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. The T-SPOT.TB IGRA had a positive rate of 12%. Immunosuppressant therapy did not significantly affect ESAT-6- and CFP-10-induced T cells IFN-? production detected using the T-SPOT.TB IGRA and flow cytometry (P > 0.05). Conclusions: Immunosuppressant therapy did not significantly affect ESAT-6- and CFP-10-induced IFN-? production by T cells detected using the T-SPOT.TB IGRA and flow cytometry in patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases.
Cite this article:
Marisa Setiawan, Puspa Wardhani, Hartono Kahar, Munawaroh Fitriah, Lita Diah Rahmawati. The effect of Immunosuppressant Therapy on ESAT-6- and CFP-10-Induced Interferon-gamma Production using the T-SPOT.TB Interferon-Gamma Release Assay and Flow Cytometry in patients with Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases. Research Journal of Pharmacy and Technology. 2026;19(7):3357-4. doi: 10.52711/0974-360X.2026.00477
Cite(Electronic):
Marisa Setiawan, Puspa Wardhani, Hartono Kahar, Munawaroh Fitriah, Lita Diah Rahmawati. The effect of Immunosuppressant Therapy on ESAT-6- and CFP-10-Induced Interferon-gamma Production using the T-SPOT.TB Interferon-Gamma Release Assay and Flow Cytometry in patients with Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases. Research Journal of Pharmacy and Technology. 2026;19(7):3357-4. doi: 10.52711/0974-360X.2026.00477 Available on: https://www.rjptonline.org/AbstractView.aspx?PID=2026-19-7-64
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