Table 5.

Clinical characteristics of AFB-positive patients with false-negative TS-SPOT results.

	Value for TS-SPOT result
	False negative (n = 7)	Positive (n = 49)
Age, years (mean± SD)	59.16 ± 14.32**	41.69 ± 22.07
<15	0	4
15–65	2	33
>65	5	12
Gender (male: female)	6: 1	32: 17
Immunosuppressive drug (no.)	2	0
Image examination (no. severe: no. mild)	6: 1	19: 30
Mtb DNA in sputum (log copies/ml, mean ± SD)	2.93 ± 0.35**	4.68 ± 0.89

^*P < 0.01, when compared with TS-SPOT positive cases in AFB-positive patients.