Abstract: ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical application of T-SPOT.TB in the rapid diagnosis of active tuberculosis．MethodsThe blood samples were detected interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) released by T lymphocytes, which were activated by specific M．tuberculosis antigens using T-SPOT.TB， and comparing with smear and acid-fast staining, BACTEC 960 culture and real-time PCR. Results155 of 164 M．tuberculosis patients were positive，the sensitivity of T-SPOT.TB was 94.5％（155/164）,significantly higher than other methods.5 cases were positive in 60 cases with non-tuberculosis respiratory disease, and 20 healthy subjects were negative, the specificity of the method was 93.8% (75/80)．ConclusionsT-SPOT.TB is a sensitive and specific method for rapid diagnosis of tuberculosis，especially suitable for early distinguishing TB with NTM.

Key words: Tuberculosis/diagnosis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Immunoenzyme techniques