Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 13, 2026

Analysis of 18FDG PET/CT Imaging as a Tool for Studying Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection and Treatment in Non-human Primates
10:04

Analysis of 18FDG PET/CT Imaging as a Tool for Studying Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection and Treatment in Non-human Primates

Published on: September 5, 2017

19.4K

Tuberculosis in infants less than 3 months of age

Teresa Del Rosal Rabes1, Fernando Baquero-Artigao1, Ana María Méndez-Echevarría1

  • 1Servicio de Pediatría Hospitalaria, Enfermedades Infecciosas y Tropicales Pediátricas, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, España.

Enfermedades Infecciosas Y Microbiologia Clinica
|May 4, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Tuberculosis in infants under 3 months is rare but severe, often difficult to diagnose. Gastric aspirate culture and PCR show higher diagnostic accuracy than smears or IGRA tests for infant tuberculosis.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Tuberculosis (TB) in infants under 3 months is uncommon.
  • Congenital and postnatal transmission routes are possible.
  • Diagnosis in this age group presents significant challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the diagnosis and outcomes of tuberculosis in infants less than 3 months of age.
  • To evaluate the diagnostic performance of various methods for infant tuberculosis.
  • To highlight the severity and diagnostic difficulties associated with early-onset TB.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of infants diagnosed with tuberculosis between 1978 and 2014.
  • Analysis of diagnostic methods including Tuberculin skin test, acid-fast bacilli smears, culture, PCR of gastric aspirates, and IGRA tests.
  • Categorization of cases into confirmed congenital, suspected congenital, and postnatal tuberculosis.

Main Results:

  • Eight infants were diagnosed, representing 1.4% of pediatric TB cases.
  • Culture and PCR of gastric aspirates demonstrated 100% diagnostic performance.
  • Acid-fast bacilli smears had 62% sensitivity, and IGRA tests had 33% sensitivity.
  • Three infants developed miliary disease, and one mortality was reported.

Conclusions:

  • Tuberculosis in infants under 3 months is a rare but severe condition requiring prompt diagnosis.
  • Gastric aspirate culture and PCR are superior diagnostic tools for infant tuberculosis.
  • Maternal genital tuberculosis should be investigated via endometrial biopsy in cases without known postnatal contacts.

Keywords:
CongenitalCongénitaInfantLactanteNewbornRecién nacidoTuberculosis

More Related Videos

A 3D Human Lung Tissue Model for Functional Studies on Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection10:10

A 3D Human Lung Tissue Model for Functional Studies on Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection

Published on: October 5, 2015

19.6K
An Automated Culture System for Use in Preclinical Testing of Host-Directed Therapies for Tuberculosis09:34

An Automated Culture System for Use in Preclinical Testing of Host-Directed Therapies for Tuberculosis

Published on: August 16, 2021

2.4K

Related Concept Videos

Pulmonary Tuberculosis I01:29

Pulmonary 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...
1.5K
Pulmonary Tuberculosis IV01:26

Pulmonary 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...
746
Pulmonary Tuberculosis III01:31

Pulmonary 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:
1.6K
Pulmonary Tuberculosis V01:28

Pulmonary 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...
922
Pulmonary Tuberculosis II01:28

Pulmonary Tuberculosis II

Tuberculosis, or TB, is a bacterial infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. While its primary impact is on the lungs, leading to pulmonary tuberculosis, it can also affect various other organs, a condition referred to as extrapulmonary tuberculosis.
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...
2.3K
Development of Immunocompetence01:22

Development of Immunocompetence

The initiation of cell-mediated immunity can be observed as early as the third month of fetal growth, with active antibody-mediated immunity following approximately one month later.
The initial cells that migrate from the fetal thymus settle within the skin and epithelial tissues lining the mouth, digestive tract, and in females, the uterus and vagina. These cells, including skin-based dendritic cells, serve as antigen-presenting cells, playing a key role in T cell activation.
Subsequent T...
1.2K