Schopfer K, Rieder HL, Bodmer T, Steinlin-Schopfer JF, Chantana Y, Studer P, Laurent D, Richner B. The sensitivity of an interferon-γ release assay in microbiologically confirmed pediatric tuberculosis.
Eur J Pediatr 2014;
173:331-6. [PMID:
24065457 DOI:
10.1007/s00431-013-2161-x]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2013] [Revised: 09/11/2013] [Accepted: 09/13/2013] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED
This study aimed at determining the sensitivity of a whole blood interferon-γ release assay (IGRA) among children with microbiologically confirmed tuberculosis in a high-burden country. Children with a diagnosis of tuberculosis based on clinical and radiographic assessment were tested with an IGRA in addition to microbiologic examination of appropriate specimens for acid-fast bacilli, mycobacterial rRNA, and observation for growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis on appropriate culture media. Of the 405 children with a clinical diagnosis of tuberculosis, 91 (22.5 %) had microbiologically confirmed tuberculosis, of whom 81 were tested with an IGRA. A positive result was obtained in 43 (sensitivity 53.1 %, 95 % confidence interval 42.3 to 63.6 %), uninfluenced by age, sex, or disease manifestation.
CONCLUSIONS
The sensitivity of a whole blood interferon-γ release assay in microbiologically confirmed pediatric tuberculosis was low. An IGRA cannot, thus, be used as rule-in test, but it might be useful to rule in tuberculosis among children in whom tuberculosis is notoriously difficult to confirm microbiologically.
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