Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 8, 2026
Demonstrating a Multi-drug Resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis Amplification Microarray
Published on: April 25, 2014
Drug-resistant tuberculosis in children in Thailand
K Lapphra1, C Sutthipong, S Foongladda
1Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Insights
Drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) is a significant concern in Thai children, with a 34% resistance rate found. Prior treatment and chest X-ray findings like atelectasis are key risk factors for DR-TB in pediatric patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric infectious diseases
- Mycobacterial infections
- Public health epidemiology
Background:
- Limited data exists on drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) in children within Thailand.
- Understanding the prevalence and characteristics of DR-TB in pediatric populations is crucial for effective control strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence, clinical presentation, and risk factors associated with drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) in children.
- To provide essential data for improving the management of DR-TB in pediatric cases in Thailand.
Main Methods:
- An observational prospective study was conducted involving children diagnosed with tuberculosis (TB) at a tertiary care center in Bangkok.
- Diagnostic methods included culture and polymerase chain reaction for TB detection, followed by drug susceptibility testing (DST) for positive specimens.
Main Results:
- Out of 230 children with TB, 34% of tested specimens showed some form of drug resistance, including multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB).
- Factors significantly associated with DR-TB included a history of prior TB treatment and radiographic evidence of atelectasis or lobar consolidation.
- While DR-TB cases required longer treatment durations, cure rates, treatment completion, and mortality did not differ significantly compared to drug-susceptible TB.
Conclusions:
- The high prevalence of DR-TB highlights the necessity of routine drug susceptibility testing (DST) in children diagnosed with TB.
- Information on prior treatment history and drug susceptibility patterns in adult source cases can effectively guide initial treatment decisions for children.
Setting:
Few data on drug-resistant (DR) tuberculosis (TB) in children are available in Thailand.
Objectives:
To evaluate the rate, clinical features and risk of DR-TB in children.
Design:
Observational prospective study conducted in children diagnosed with TB at a tertiary care centre in Bangkok.
Results:
Of 230 children diagnosed with TB, the median age was 6.5 years; 63% had identified adult source cases, and only 7% had received prior isoniazid treatment for latent tuberculous infection. Of the 195 (85%) specimens submitted, 57 (25%) were positive using culture or polymerase chain reaction. Of the 53 positive specimens available for drug susceptibility testing (DST), 18 (34%) had any resistance, 13 (24.5%) were mono-resistant, 2 (3.8%) polyresistant and 3 (5.7%) were multidrug-resistant. In multivariate analysis, prior TB treatment (P < 0.001), presence of atelectasis (P = 0.039) or lobar consolidation (P = 0.012) on chest X-ray were associated with DR-TB. DR-TB required longer treatment but there were no differences in rate of cure, treatment completion or death.
Conclusions:
The high rate of DR-TB underscores the importance of routine DST. History of treatment and drug susceptibility in source cases was useful in guiding initial treatment in children.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Pulmonary 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...
01:26Pulmonary 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...
01:29Pulmonary 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...
01:31Pulmonary Tuberculosis III
The first classification is based on the development of the disease, and it includes the following categories:
01:26Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion
01:28Pulmonary 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...