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Hamdar H, Nahle AA, Ataya J, Jawad A, Salame H, Jaber R, Kassir M, Wannous H. Comparative analysis of pediatric pulmonary and extrapulmonary tuberculosis: A single-center retrospective cohort study in Syria. Heliyon 2024; 10:e36779. [PMID: 39263060 PMCID: PMC11387373 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e36779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2024] [Accepted: 08/22/2024] [Indexed: 09/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Tuberculosis (TB) is a global public health challenge, contributing significantly to morbidity and mortality worldwide. This research aims to investigate the epidemiology, clinical characteristics, diagnostic methods, and early mortality rate among pediatric patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) and extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) who were admitted to a hospital in Syria. Methods This retrospective cohort study was conducted at the University Children's Hospital in Syria, involving pediatric patients diagnosed with TB between January 2013 and January 2023. Data were collected from medical records and encompassed socio-demographic characteristics, diagnostic methods, clinical presentation, chest radiography findings, and patient outcomes. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 25. Results A total of 129 patients were included in the study, with 26.4 % diagnosed with PTB and 73.6 % with EPTB. The most common types of EPTB were lymphatic (25.6 %) and gastrointestinal (17.1 %). Patients with PTB and EPTB did not differ significantly in terms of age, weight, or gender. Significant cough was more common in PTB cases (67.6 %), while lymphadenopathy was more prevalent in EPTB cases (48.4 %). Chest X-ray abnormalities were found in 58.1 % of patients, with PTB patients more likely to have abnormal findings (97.1 %). Microbiological confirmation was higher in PTB cases (76.5 %) compared to EPTB cases (25.3 %). The overall mortality rate was 14 %, with higher mortality observed in patients with EPTB (16.8 %), particularly in cases of TB meningitis. Conclusion Our study highlights the epidemiological challenges of TB among hospitalized children, with a focus on the complexities of diagnosing and managing EPTB. We emphasize the urgent need for enhanced diagnostic and management strategies, particularly in conflict zones like Syria, where TB control efforts face significant obstacles. Prompt solutions are imperative to improve outcomes, given the high occurrence of EPTB and its associated mortality rates. Clinical recommendations stress the need for comprehensive contact histories and awareness of varied clinical presentations in pediatric TB diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hussein Hamdar
- Faculty of Medicine, Damascus University, Damascus, Syria
| | | | - Jamal Ataya
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Aleppo, Syria
| | - Ali Jawad
- Faculty of Medicine, Damascus University, Damascus, Syria
| | - Hadi Salame
- Faculty of Medicine, Damascus University, Damascus, Syria
| | - Rida Jaber
- Faculty of Medicine, Damascus University, Damascus, Syria
| | | | - Hala Wannous
- Pediatric Nephrology, Head of the Department of Pediatric Nephrology, Hemodialysis and Kidney Transplantation in Children's University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Damascus University, Damascus, Syria
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Carter N, Webb EL, Lebina L, Motsomi K, Bosch Z, Martinson NA, MacPherson P. Prevalence of subclinical pulmonary tuberculosis and its association with HIV in household contacts of index tuberculosis patients in two South African provinces: a secondary, cross-sectional analysis of a cluster-randomised trial. BMC GLOBAL AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 1:21. [PMID: 38798821 PMCID: PMC11116238 DOI: 10.1186/s44263-023-00022-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Background People with subclinical tuberculosis (TB) have microbiological evidence of disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, but either do not have or do not report TB symptoms. The relationship between human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and subclinical TB is not yet well understood. We estimated the prevalence of subclinical pulmonary TB in household contacts of index TB patients in two South African provinces, and how this differed by HIV status. Methods This was a cross-sectional, secondary analysis of baseline data from the intervention arm of a household cluster randomised trial. Prevalence of subclinical TB was measured as the number of household contacts aged ≥ 5 years who had positive sputum TB microscopy, culture or nucleic acid amplification test (Xpert MTB/Rif or Xpert Ultra) results on a single sputum specimen and who did not report current cough, fever, weight loss or night sweats on direct questioning. Regression analysis was used to calculate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the association between HIV status and subclinical TB; adjusting for province, sex and age in household contacts; and HIV status in index patients. Results Amongst household contacts, microbiologically confirmed prevalent subclinical TB was over twice as common as symptomatic TB disease (48/2077, 2.3%, 95% CI 1.7-3.1% compared to 20/2077, 1.0%, 95% CI 0.6-1.5%). Subclinical TB prevalence was higher in people living with HIV (15/377, 4.0%, 95% CI 2.2-6.5%) compared to those who were HIV-negative (33/1696, 1.9%, 95% CI 1.3-2.7%; p = 0.018). In regression analysis, living with HIV (377/2077, 18.2%) was associated with a two-fold increase in prevalent subclinical TB with 95% confidence intervals consistent with no association through to a four-fold increase (adjusted OR 2.00, 95% CI 0.99-4.01, p = 0.052). Living with HIV was associated with a five-fold increase in prevalent symptomatic TB (adjusted OR 5.05, 95% CI 2.22-11.59, p < 0.001). Conclusions Most (70.6%) pulmonary TB diagnosed in household contacts in this setting was subclinical. Living with HIV was likely associated with prevalent subclinical TB and was associated with prevalent symptomatic TB. Universal sputum testing with sensitive assays improves early TB diagnosis in subclinical household contacts. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s44263-023-00022-5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naomi Carter
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - Emily L. Webb
- MRC International Statistics and Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Limakatso Lebina
- Clinical Trials Unit, Africa Health Research Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Perinatal HIV Research Unit (PHRU), University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Kegaugetswe Motsomi
- Perinatal HIV Research Unit (PHRU), University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), Doris Duke Medical Research Institute, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Zama Bosch
- Perinatal HIV Research Unit (PHRU), University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Neil A. Martinson
- Perinatal HIV Research Unit (PHRU), University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Johns Hopkins University Center for TB Research, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Peter MacPherson
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
- School of Health & Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
- Clinical Research Department, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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Robsky KO, Chaisson LH, Naufal F, Delgado-Barroso P, Alvarez-Manzo HS, Golub JE, Shapiro AE, Salazar-Austin N. Number Needed to Screen for Tuberculosis Disease Among Children: A Systematic Review. Pediatrics 2023; 151:e2022059189. [PMID: 36987808 PMCID: PMC10071427 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2022-059189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
CONTEXT Improving detection of pediatric tuberculosis (TB) is critical to reducing morbidity and mortality among children. OBJECTIVE We conducted a systematic review to estimate the number of children needed to screen (NNS) to detect a single case of active TB using different active case finding (ACF) screening approaches and across different settings. DATA SOURCES We searched 4 databases (PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library) for articles published from November 2010 to February 2020. STUDY SELECTION We included studies of TB ACF in children using symptom-based screening, clinical indicators, chest x-ray, and Xpert. DATA EXTRACTION We indirectly estimated the weighted mean NNS for a given modality, location, and population using the inverse of the weighted prevalence. We assessed risk of bias using a modified AXIS tool. RESULTS We screened 27 221 titles and abstracts, of which we included 31 studies of ACF in children < 15 years old. Symptom-based screening was the most common screening modality (weighted mean NNS: 257 [range, 5-undefined], 19 studies). The weighted mean NNS was lower in both inpatient (216 [18-241]) and outpatient (67 [5-undefined]) settings (107 [5-undefined]) compared with community (1117 [28-5146]) and school settings (464 [118-665]). Risk of bias was low. LIMITATIONS Heterogeneity in the screening modalities and populations make it difficult to draw conclusions. CONCLUSIONS We identified a potential opportunity to increase TB detection by screening children presenting in health care settings. Pediatric TB case finding interventions should incorporate evidence-based interventions and local contextual information in an effort to detect as many children with TB as possible.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lelia H. Chaisson
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | | | - Pamela Delgado-Barroso
- Departments of Global Health and Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | | | - Jonathan E. Golub
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Medicine
- International Health
| | - Adrienne E. Shapiro
- Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
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Rangchaikul P, Ahn P, Nguyen M, Zhong V, Venketaraman V. Review of Pediatric Tuberculosis in the Aftermath of COVID-19. Clin Pract 2022; 12:738-754. [PMID: 36136871 PMCID: PMC9498527 DOI: 10.3390/clinpract12050077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In 2014, the World Health Organization developed the End Tuberculosis Strategy with the goal of a 95% reduction in deaths from tuberculosis (TB) by 2035. The start of the COVID-19 pandemic and global lockdown has had a major impact on TB awareness, screening, diagnosis, and prompt initiation of treatment, inevitably leading to a significant setback. We explore pediatric tuberculosis through the lens of the COVID-19 era, investigating how COVID-19 has impacted pediatric TB cases in different regions of the world and what the implications are for management moving forward to mitigate these effects. Furthermore, in light of recent findings showing how exposed infants and children are at higher risk than we thought of contracting the disease, greater attention and resources are needed to prevent further downward trends.
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Facilitators and Barriers to Implementation of a Childhood Tuberculosis Control Program in Bangladesh: A Mixed-Methods Study from BRAC Urban DOTS Centres in Dhaka. NURSING REPORTS 2022; 12:371-386. [PMID: 35645362 PMCID: PMC9149828 DOI: 10.3390/nursrep12020036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Revised: 04/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The case detection rate of childhood tuberculosis in Bangladesh is 4%, far below the World Health Organization predicted rate of 10–15% for a country with a high burden of tuberculosis. A concurrent triangulation mixed-methods study was carried out in eight urban DOTS (Directly Observed Treatment, Short-course) centres to investigate the factors contributing to the diagnosis and treatment of childhood tuberculosis. Front-line health care workers (Shasthya Shebika) (n = 111) were surveyed to understand knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of the diagnosis and treatment of childhood tuberculosis. In-depth interviews were conducted with field workers (n = 32) and mothers of TB cases (n = 4). Stakeholders involved in implementing the tuberculosis program (n = 9) participated in the key informant interviews. Knowledge of Shasthya Shebika was associated with the components addressed during refresher training (p = 0.02). Government stewardship, presence of specific guidelines, knowledge and capacity building of front-line health workers were identified as the key facilitators. Frequent turnover of key managerial positions in the government, stigma, delays in seeking care, lack of diagnostic facilities, and poor engagement of private practitioners were identified as major constraints. It was identified that the government should focus on improving diagnostic capacities, conduct research on childhood tuberculosis, and produce awareness materials.
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Haque M, Chowdhury K. Childhood tuberculosis - An emerging health challenge for Bangladesh. ADVANCES IN HUMAN BIOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.4103/aihb.aihb_171_22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
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Nkereuwem O, Nkereuwem E, Fiogbe A, Usoroh EE, Sillah AK, Owolabi O, Tebruegge M, Badjan A, Kampmann B, Togun T. Exploring the perspectives of members of international tuberculosis control and research networks on the impact of COVID-19 on tuberculosis services: a cross sectional survey. BMC Health Serv Res 2021; 21:798. [PMID: 34384439 PMCID: PMC8358254 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-021-06852-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic has caused major disruption to healthcare services globally and has impacted on tuberculosis (TB) patients and TB diagnosis and treatment services both in low- and high-income countries. We therefore explored the perspectives of members of regional and international TB control and research networks to further understand TB service disruptions and compared the experiences of members from West African and European countries. METHODS This cross-sectional, explorative descriptive study was conducted from May to July 2020 using an open online survey with target respondents from both West African and European countries. The survey comprised discrete questions exploring challenges faced with TB screening, diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and changes implemented. Additionally, respondents were asked to provide recommendations for remedial actions. RESULTS We analysed responses from 124 respondents based in 29 countries located in Europe and West Africa. About half of the respondents reported challenges in delivering routine TB services during the COVID-19 pandemic, with over one third reporting having some form of guidance issued regarding maintaining delivery of routine TB services. Respondents emphasised the need for strengthening TB services especially in light of COVID-19 pandemic. Considerable similarities were found between the challenges experienced by TB professionals in both West African and European settings. Responses also highlighted the hidden challenges faced in some countries prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in some West African settings where staff shortages and laboratory issues predated COVID-19. CONCLUSIONS TB control and research professionals in West African and European settings experienced similar challenges to the delivery of TB diagnosis and treatment services due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and highlighted the need for clear communication of guidelines, prioritisation of routine TB service delivery, ongoing health education, and possible integration of TB and COVID-19 services to ensure that TB services are more resilient against the impact of the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oluwatosin Nkereuwem
- Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Atlantic Road, Fajara, Banjul, The Gambia
| | - Esin Nkereuwem
- Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Atlantic Road, Fajara, Banjul, The Gambia
| | - Arnauld Fiogbe
- National Teaching Hospital for Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases, Cotonou, Republic of Benin
| | - Eno E Usoroh
- Interactive Research and Development (IRD) - Nigeria, Folarin Coker House, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos State, Nigeria
| | - Abdou K Sillah
- Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Atlantic Road, Fajara, Banjul, The Gambia
| | - Olumuyiwa Owolabi
- Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Atlantic Road, Fajara, Banjul, The Gambia
| | - Marc Tebruegge
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK.,Department of Paediatrics, Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Abdoulie Badjan
- National Leprosy and Tuberculosis Control Programme (NLTCP), Ministry of Health, Banjul, The Gambia
| | - Beate Kampmann
- Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Atlantic Road, Fajara, Banjul, The Gambia.,The Vaccine Centre, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), Keppel Street, London, UK
| | - Toyin Togun
- Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Atlantic Road, Fajara, Banjul, The Gambia. .,The Tuberculosis Centre and the Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), Keppel Street, London, UK.
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Khambati N, Olbrich L, Ellner J, Salgame P, Song R, Bijker EM. Host-Based Biomarkers in Saliva for the Diagnosis of Pulmonary Tuberculosis in Children: A Mini-Review. Front Pediatr 2021; 9:756043. [PMID: 34760853 PMCID: PMC8575443 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2021.756043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) in children remains a significant challenge due to its paucibacillary nature, non-specificity of symptoms and suboptimal sensitivity of available diagnostic methods. In young children particularly, it is difficult to obtain high-quality sputum specimens for testing, with this group the least likely to be diagnosed, while most at risk of severe disease. The World Health Organization (WHO) has prioritized research into rapid biomarker-based tests for TB using easily obtainable non-sputum samples, such as saliva. However, the role of biomarkers in saliva for diagnosing TB in children has not been fully explored. In this mini-review, we discuss the value of saliva as a diagnostic specimen in children given its ready availability and non-invasive nature of collection, and review the literature on the use of host-based biomarkers in saliva for diagnosing active pulmonary TB in adults and children. Based on available data from adult studies, we highlight that combinations of cytokines and other proteins show promise in reaching WHO-endorsed target product profiles for new TB triage tests. Given the lack of pediatric research on host biomarkers in saliva and the differing immune response to TB infection between children and adults, we recommend that pediatric studies are now performed to discover and validate salivary host biosignatures for diagnosing pulmonary TB in children. Future directions for pediatric saliva studies are discussed, with suggestions for technologies that can be applied for salivary biomarker discovery and point-of-care test development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nisreen Khambati
- Oxford Vaccine Group, Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Laura Olbrich
- Oxford Vaccine Group, Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.,Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, University Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Jerrold Ellner
- Department of Medicine, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Newark, NJ, United States
| | - Padmini Salgame
- Department of Medicine, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Newark, NJ, United States
| | - Rinn Song
- Oxford Vaccine Group, Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.,Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Else Margreet Bijker
- Oxford Vaccine Group, Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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