What steps do we need to take to improve diagnosis of tuberculosis in children?. Issue 7 (July 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Venturini, Elisabetta; Remaschi, Giulia; Berti, Elettra; Montagnani, Carlotta; Galli, Luisa; de Martino, Maurizio; Chiappini, Elena
• Is Part Of: Expert review of anti-infective therapy. Volume 13:Issue 7(2015)
• Page Start: 907
• Page End: 922
• Publication Date: 2015-07
• Subjects: Anti-infective agents -- Research -- Periodicals; 616.90461
• DOI: 10.1586/14787210.2015.1040764
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1478-7210

Abstract

<abstract> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p>Tuberculosis still represents a big global public health challenge. The diagnosis of tuberculosis and the differentiation between active and latent tuberculosis remain difficult, particularly in childhood, because of the lack of a gold standard test for diagnosis. In the last decade, novel diagnostic assays have been developed. Among immunologic tests, new assays based on the measurement of different cytokines released by specific T cells in response to <italic>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</italic> antigens, other than INF-γ, have been investigated. Promising results rely on nucleic acid amplification techniques, also able to detect drugs resistance. Innovative research fields studied the modifications of CD27 expression in T cells as well as different host gene expression in response to <italic>M. tuberculosis.</italic> Further studies are needed to assess the diagnostic value and the accuracy of these new assays.</p> </abstract>