Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The Kveim-Siltzbach test has been widely used in the diagnosis of sarcoidosis. This reactive is currently available in the authors' hospitals. Previous experience with this test in the same centers was reviewed to know its diagnostic usefulness. The present is the first series described in Spain.

METHODS:

From 1977 to 1988 the Kveim-Siltzbach test was performed in 79 patients diagnosed or suspected of having sarcoidosis. The study was carried out as cooperation of the validation process of sarcoid spleen suspensions (lots K12, K12 1/2, K32, K41, K42, K42 1/2 and K50 of the Colindale antigen) prepared in the Standards Laboratory for Serological Reagents in the Royal Brompton Hospital in London.

RESULTS:

The results of test positivity were determined following the criteria established by Siltzbach. The global sensitivity of the Kveim-Siltzbach test was 78% (CI 95% = 67.8-86.9). Positivity ranged from 84% in subacute sarcoidosis to 61% in chronic sarcoidosis (p = 0.08). Likewise, it was higher in patients with radiologic stage I (84%) and II (81%) with respect to stage III (62%) or the cases with exclusive extrathoracic sarcoidosis (stage 0) (57%) (p = 0.11). No association was found between the Kveim-Siltzbach test positivity and the elevation in serum values of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (p = 0.575).

CONCLUSIONS:

In the present study the Kveim-Siltzbach test showed high sensitivity in the diagnosis of sarcoidosis. This fact, together with the high specificity observed in other studies, makes the test a very useful tool for the non-invasive diagnosis of sarcoidosis.