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Updated: Aug 6, 2026
The MODS method for diagnosis of tuberculosis and multidrug resistant tuberculosis
Published on: August 11, 2008
[Epidemic outbreak of tuberculosis]
E Bernaola Iturbe1, A Barricarte Gurrea, M Urtiaga Domínguez
1Unidad de Enfermedades Infecciosas. Servicio de Pediatría. Hospital Virgen del Camino. Pamplona. bernaola@teleline.es
Insights
Rapid intervention for a tuberculosis outbreak in a nursery school was achieved through collaboration between surveillance and healthcare teams. Early detection and treatment prevented disease spread in young children.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Infectious Disease Control
Context:
- Tuberculosis (TB) outbreaks in childcare settings pose significant risks to vulnerable populations.
- Effective control requires swift identification and management of exposed individuals.
Purpose:
- To detail the collaborative response between epidemiological surveillance and healthcare providers during a nursery school tuberculosis outbreak.
- To highlight the effectiveness of integrated public health and clinical interventions.
Summary:
- A nursery school outbreak, initiated by an infected child minder, led to the identification of 58 exposed children and 4 other child minders.
- Tuberculin testing, radiological, and microbiological studies were performed on all exposed individuals.
- 32.8% of children were infected, with six diagnosed with active tuberculosis. Genetic analysis confirmed Mycobacterium tuberculosis transmission from the index case.
Impact:
- The study demonstrates the success of a coordinated approach in managing pediatric tuberculosis micro-outbreaks.
- Findings underscore the importance of ongoing surveillance for tuberculosis in adults working with children.
- Genetic strain analysis proved crucial for understanding transmission dynamics and guiding interventions.
Objective:
To describe how collaboration between epidemiological surveillance and primary and specialist health care centres enabled rapid intervention during an outbreak of tuberculosis in a nursery school.
Material And Methods:
A child minder was diagnosed with tuberculosis. The persons exposed were identified. These were four child minders and 58 children under 4 years of age. The respective primary care pediatricians carried out a tuberculin test in all of the children. Children with a positive tuberculin test underwent radiological and microbiological study to rule out the disease. The adults underwent the same procedure.
Results:
Detection among the children was rapid; 32.8 % were infected and six showed alterations in thoracic x-rays and were considered to be ill. In three children Mycobacterium tuberculosis was isolated and was genetically similar to the index case. Primary chemoprophylaxis was carried out in all children with a negative tuberculin test; secondary chemoprophylaxis was administered to infected children and specific treatment to the ill. In all children, evolution was satisfactory.
Conclusions:
Periodic surveillance for tuberculosis should be carried out among adults working with children. Genetic study of the strains isolated facilitates epidemiological analysis of these microepidemics.
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