Intertest

Inclusion criteria were as follows: (i) newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes or type 2 diabetics who were inadequately controlled with diet and exercise or had taken oral antidiabetic medication irregularly (treatment duration shorter than 6 months) and had stopped treatment for more than 1 month; (ii) two consecutive FBG tests in 1 week with a level of 8.0–13.5 mmol/L and an intertest difference of <1.8 mmol/L; and (iii) male, aged 18–75 years, with a body mass index (BMI) of ≤40 kg/m 2 .

Despite its proven value as a screening tool, the BeLT, like most cell culture–radiolabel incorporation assays, is associated with some intratest, intertest, and interlaboratory variability and provides only a semiquantitative estimate of T cell activity, even when we optimize the methodology. Further methodologic refinements may enhance the test's reliability and predictive value.