Incidence of tuberculosis among children living in contact with smear-positive tuberculosis: Advantages and limits of the Quantiferon TB gold in tube test

Publication date: Available online 23 August 2016 Source:International Journal of Mycobacteriology Author(s): Djohar Hannoun, Fadila Boulahbal Objective/background Children living in contact with smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) patients are highly exposed to TB infection. Our objective was to estimate the incidence of TB in children living in contact with a Smear Positive (M+) pulmonary tuberculosis (PTM+) index case during 2years following exposure. Methods This was a descriptive, cohort, prospective, multicenter study of children aged from 6months to 15years in contact with a PTM+ case. The recruitment of children has been based on the diagnosed PTM+ index case and taken in charge by the Services of Control of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases located in Algiers during 2014. Seven centers were selected. All children were tested using the Quantiferon TB gold in tube (QTR) test and the tuberculin skin test (TST). For TST, an induration diameter ⩾10mm was considered positive. Results We included 456 children living in contact with a PTM+ patient. The results for TST and QFT were available for 319 children. The mean age of the children was 6.7years (standard deviation=3.9). The sex ratio (Male/Female) was 1.26, and 15.8% (50) did not have a Bacilli of Calmette & Guerin (BCG) vaccination scar. Among the children, 46.1% (147) and 43.4% (138) were positive for QFT and TST, respectively, and 6.1% (19) have received isoniazid preventive therapy. Fifty-...
Source: International Journal of Mycobacteriology - Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research