For example, M. leprae antigen-specific IFN-γ release assessed using whole-blood assay, which measures the production of IFN-γ by whole-blood specimens after co-culture with specific M. leprae antigens, has diagnostic value for distinguishing PB from TB but not for distinguishing PB from HHCs or ECs in the population of the southwest of China (Chen, et al., 2018). This evidence concerns the gene IFNG and tuberculosis.