The usefulness of lymphocyte stimulation test (LST) in side effects of antituberculosis drugs

The usefulness of the lymphocyte stimulation test (LST) was examined in patients who arose side effects to antituberculosis drugs. The usefulness of LST was examined in 36 patients from January, 1999 to July, 2002. There were 11 LST positive patients, and the LST positive rate was 30.6%. The causing agents determined by the LST positive patients were INH in 7, RFP in 3 and EB in one. The sensitivity of LST was 46.2% and the specificity of LST was 76.6%. LST positive rate of antituberculosis drugs was low and it was difficult to determine the causing drugs by LST.