Related Experiment Videos
Potential effect of NICE tuberculosis guidelines on paediatric tuberculosis screening
R E B Taylor1, A J Cant, J E Clark
1Medical School, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH.
Archives of Disease in Childhood
|March 14, 2007
Summary
New guidelines for interferon gamma (IFNgamma) testing in children with suspected latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) will decrease treatment. Further studies are needed for children with differing test results.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric infectious diseases
- Immunological assays
- Public health guidelines
Background:
- Interferon gamma (IFNgamma) assays are emerging tools for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) screening in adults.
- Limited data exist on their efficacy in pediatric populations.
- National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines now recommend IFNgamma assays for screening pediatric tuberculosis (TB) contacts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of new NICE guidelines on current pediatric TB screening practices.
- To compare outcomes under existing guidelines versus the new NICE recommendations.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of children who underwent IFNgamma assay (QuantiFERON-TB Gold - QFG) for TB screening.
- Comparison of actual outcomes with hypothetical outcomes based on NICE guidelines.
Main Results:
- QFG assays were performed on 120 children; 103 were part of TB contact tracing.
- Six children (5%) had positive QFG results, and seven (6%) had indeterminate results.
- NICE guidelines would have resulted in 85% fewer children treated for LTBI and potentially missed two cases of active TB.
Conclusions:
- New NICE guidelines for IFNgamma-based TB screening in children are expected to reduce the number of children treated for presumed LTBI.
- Further long-term prospective research is required to assess outcomes for children with discordant Mantoux and IFNgamma test results.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Pulmonary Tuberculosis V
Medical management of tuberculosis (TB) patients involves a comprehensive approach that includes diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring. The specific strategies can vary depending on the type of tuberculosis (latent or active), the patient's overall health status, and other considerations.
Latent tuberculosis infection occurs when TB bacteria are present in a person's body, but are not causing illness or symptoms. It is not contagious, and preventive treatment is crucial to avoid the progression...
Latent tuberculosis infection occurs when TB bacteria are present in a person's body, but are not causing illness or symptoms. It is not contagious, and preventive treatment is crucial to avoid the progression...
01:26Pulmonary Tuberculosis IV
Tuberculosis, more commonly referred to as TB, is an infectious disease stemming from Mycobacterium tuberculosis. While it primarily impacts the lungs, TB can also affect other body areas. Given its severity and global impact, timely and accurate diagnosis is crucial for controlling its spread and improving patient outcomes.
Several diagnostic approaches are used to detect TB. The conventional method is the Tuberculin Skin Test (TST), also known as the Mantoux test. However, this method has...
Several diagnostic approaches are used to detect TB. The conventional method is the Tuberculin Skin Test (TST), also known as the Mantoux test. However, this method has...
01:29Pulmonary Tuberculosis I
Tuberculosis, often called TB, is a contagious illness primarily caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It mainly affects the lung parenchyma but can also impact other body parts.
Causative Organism
The primary infectious agent causing tuberculosis is Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a slow-growing, acid-fast, aerobic rod that exhibits sensitivity to heat and ultraviolet light. Instances of Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium contributing to the development of TB infection are rare.
Mode of...
Causative Organism
The primary infectious agent causing tuberculosis is Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a slow-growing, acid-fast, aerobic rod that exhibits sensitivity to heat and ultraviolet light. Instances of Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium contributing to the development of TB infection are rare.
Mode of...
01:31Pulmonary Tuberculosis III
Tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious infection primarily affecting the lung parenchyma but which can also affect other body parts. TB can be classified based on disease development, presentation, and the affected anatomical site.
The first classification is based on the development of the disease, and it includes the following categories:
The first classification is based on the development of the disease, and it includes the following categories:
01:26Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion
In pediatric medicine, understanding the renal function and drug elimination nuances is crucial for administering safe and effective treatments. Newborns, in particular, display markedly slower renal functions than adults, profoundly affecting how drugs are cleared from their bodies. This slower drug clearance requires clinicians to extend the dosing intervals for many medications to prevent drug accumulation and toxicity while ensuring therapeutic efficacy.One key area where these adjustments...
01:25Transmission-based Precautions II: Airborne and Protective Environment
Transmission-based precautions are for patients infected or suspected to be infected (or colonized) with organisms posing a significant risk to others. The transmission precautions include airborne and protective environment precautions.
Airborne precautions:
Use airborne precautions when treating patients known or suspected to have diseases that spread through the air—for example, tuberculosis or measles. These organisms are present in smaller droplets expelled by an infected person and...
Airborne precautions:
Use airborne precautions when treating patients known or suspected to have diseases that spread through the air—for example, tuberculosis or measles. These organisms are present in smaller droplets expelled by an infected person and...