Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 5, 2026
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
Recent advances in the diagnosis and treatment of childhood tuberculosis
Mani Kant Kumar1, Prashant Kumar1, Anjali Singh1
1Department of Pediatrics, Narayan Medical College and Hospital, Jamuhar, Sasaram, Bihar, India.
Insights
Accurate diagnosis of childhood tuberculosis (TB) in India is challenging. Recent advances in symptom-based, immune-based, and molecular methods improve pediatric TB detection, though HIV-infected children remain difficult to diagnose.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric infectious diseases
- Public health
- Microbiology
Background:
- Tuberculosis (TB) poses a significant global health burden, with India accounting for 26% of cases.
- Childhood TB diagnosis is challenging due to paucibacillary disease and underprioritization in control programs.
- Underdiagnosed pediatric TB can lead to disease progression and Mycobacterium tuberculosis dissemination.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements in diagnosing childhood tuberculosis.
- To highlight challenges in diagnosing TB in pediatric populations, especially those with HIV.
Main Methods:
- Review of symptom-based diagnostic approaches.
- Evaluation of novel immune-based assays, including interferon-gamma release assays (IGRAs).
- Assessment of rapid and cost-effective bacteriological and molecular diagnostic techniques.
Main Results:
- Recent diagnostic advancements have improved the identification of latent infection and active TB in children.
- Symptom-based, IGRA, and molecular methods offer improved diagnostic capabilities.
- Diagnosing TB in HIV-infected children remains a significant hurdle despite these advances.
Conclusions:
- New diagnostic tools enhance the detection of childhood TB.
- Timely and accurate diagnosis is crucial to reduce the epidemiological burden of TB.
- Further research is needed to overcome diagnostic challenges in immunocompromised children, particularly those with HIV.
Abstract:
Despite over 2.3 million (26% of global burden) cases of tuberculosis (TB) in India the accurate diagnosis of childhood TB remains a major challenge. Children with TB usually have paucibacillary disease and contribute little to disease transmission within the community. Consequently the treatment of children with TB is often not considered a priority by TB control programmes. Adequate and timely assessment of TB infection in childhood could diminish epidemiological burden as underdiagnosed pediatric patients can eventually evolve in to an active state and have the potential to disseminate the etiological agent Mycobacterium tuberculosis, notably increasing this worldwide public health problem. In this review we discuss the most important recent advances in the diagnosis of childhood TB: (1) Symptom-based approaches, (2) novel immune-based approaches, including in vitro interferon-γ IGRA release assays IGRA tests; and (3) bacteriological and molecular methods that are more rapid and/or less expensive than conventional culture techniques for TB diagnosis and/or drug-resistance testing. Recent advances have improved our ability to diagnose latent infection and active TB in children, nevertheless establishing a diagnosis of either latent infection or active disease in HIV-infected children remains a major challenge.
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...
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...
01:31Pulmonary Tuberculosis III
The first classification is based on the development of the disease, and it includes the following categories:
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...
01:28Pulmonary 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...
01:17Other Pulmonary Disorders