Related Experiment Videos
[Difficulty in diagnosing pediatric tuberculosis]
G Losurdo1, A R Natalizia, A Amisano
1Unita Operativa Complessa di Malattie Infettive. Istituto Giannina Gaslini - Ospedale Pediatrico IRCCS, Genova, Italy.
Abstract:
Tuberculosis (TB) in children is an important warning sign in a community, as it could signal recent infection of a cavitary form in an adult. Thus, while early diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment in children, it is also imperative for the control of tuberculosis at the public health level since it allows rapid identification of contagious adult cases. Here we report four cases of difficult and delayed diagnosis of TB in children. From this experience we highlight the need for an extensive medical history of the patient during diagnostic work-up. This includes: the positive history for contact with infected adults, especially for immigrant children; exclusion of TB diagnosis for persistent respiratory symptoms (2-3 weeks) after antibiotic therapy; and the need for high-definition CT scan when the radiological picture is not specific, especially for children under 5 years of age.
Related Concept Videos
Pulmonary Tuberculosis IV
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...
Pulmonary Tuberculosis V
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...
Pulmonary Tuberculosis I
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...
Pulmonary Tuberculosis III
The first classification is based on the development of the disease, and it includes the following categories:
Pulmonary Tuberculosis II
Here is a detailed explanation of its pathophysiology:
Transmission: The process begins when a person inhales droplet nuclei containing M. tuberculosis. These are typically released into the air when an individual with pulmonary or...
Tuberculosis