Interferon-γ release assay for the diagnosis of tuberculosis in children. Issue 6 (4th May 2011)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Méndez-Echevarría, Ana; González-Muñoz, Miguel; Mellado, Maria Jose; Baquero-Artigao, Fernando; Blázquez, Daniel; Penín, María; Navarro, Maria Luisa; Saavedra-Lozano, Jesús; Hernandez-Sampelayo, Maria Teresa; González-Tomé, Isabel; Calvo, Cristina; Ruiz, Marta; Ramos, Jose Tomás; Guillén, Sara; Velazquez, Ramón; Pérez, Beatriz; Martínez, Jorge; Pérez, Elia
• Is Part Of: Archives of disease in childhood. Volume 97:Issue 6(2012)
• Page Start: 514
• Page End: 516
• Publication Date: 2011-05-04
• Subjects: Children -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Infants -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 618.920005
• DOI: 10.1136/adc.2010.202069
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-9888

Abstract

Abstract : Aims: To compare the QuantiFERON-TB GOLD In Tube test (QTF) and the tuberculin skin test (TST) in children. Methods: A prospective study was carried out in nine hospitals in Madrid, Spain. TST and QTF were performed in immigrants, tuberculosis (TB) contacts and patients with TB disease (TBD). Results: 459 children were included. Disagreement between the tests was more frequently observed among latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) cases (54%; 38/70) than in non-infected or TBD cases (0.8%; 3/369) (p<0.01). There were more BCG-vaccinated children among LTBI cases with negative QTF (76%) than among LTBI cases with positive QTF (40%) (p<0.001). Agreement between tests in BCG-vaccinated children was lower than in non-vaccinated cases (p<0.05). Tests in TB exposed patients showed better agreement than in non-exposed children (p<0.05). Conclusions: Agreement of both tests was excellent in TBD cases, non-vaccinated children and non-infected patients. A significant number of QTF negative results were observed among LTBI cases, especially in BCG-vaccinated children. Agreement was better in exposed children.