Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 18, 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
Risk of Tuberculosis Infection in Young Children Exposed to Multidrug-resistant Tuberculosis in the TB-CHAMP
Susan E Purchase1, Joanna Brigden2, James A Seddon1,3
1Desmond Tutu TB Centre, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, South Africa.
Insights
Infection prevalence in young children exposed to multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) was 20.4%. Key risk factors for infection included parent/caregiver relationship, chronic cough, and drug misuse in the adult with MDR-TB.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric infectious diseases
- Tuberculosis research
- Public health epidemiology
Background:
- Young children are highly susceptible to tuberculosis (TB) disease after Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection without preventive therapy.
- Understanding infection prevalence and risk factors is crucial for effective TB prevention strategies in children.
- This study focused on child household contacts under 5 years old exposed to adults with confirmed pulmonary multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB).
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in young children (<5 years) exposed to adults with MDR-TB.
- To identify significant risk factors associated with TB infection in these vulnerable child contacts.
Main Methods:
- The TB-CHAMP trial enrolled children under 5, irrespective of infection status.
- Interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) was used at baseline to assess M. tuberculosis infection.
- Modified Poisson regression models analyzed the relationship between risk factors and IGRA positivity.
Main Results:
- Out of 785 children, 160 (20.4%) tested positive for M. tuberculosis infection via IGRA.
- Significant risk factors for infection included duration of cough and drug misuse in the index patient, child's age, and relationship to the index patient.
- Study site also showed a significant association with infection risk.
Conclusions:
- The observed infection prevalence was lower than in prior studies, potentially due to improved MDR-TB diagnosis/treatment or assay limitations.
- Findings have implications for TB preventive treatment strategies for child contacts.
- Healthcare providers should prioritize preventive treatment for young children with parents/caregivers exhibiting chronic cough or drug misuse.
Background:
Young children have a high risk of developing tuberculosis (TB) disease following infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the absence of preventive treatment. Infection prevalence and risk factors for infection impact delivery of prevention strategies. We aimed to determine the prevalence of infection in child household contacts aged <5 years exposed to adults with confirmed pulmonary multidrug-resistant (MDR)-TB and to determine risk factors for infection.
Methods:
TB-CHAMP was a trial of MDR-TB prevention that recruited children younger than age 5 years, regardless of M. tuberculosis infection status. All children enrolled had an interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) at baseline. We described M. tuberculosis infection prevalence, developed directed acyclic graphs to clarify causal relationships, and used modified Poisson regression models to assess the relationship between risk factors and IGRA positivity.
Results:
Of 785 included children, 160 (20.4%) had a positive IGRA. Duration of cough and drug misuse in the index patient, age of the child, relationship between the child and the index patient, and study site were significantly associated with risk of infection.
Conclusions:
The prevalence of infection was lower than observed in previous studies. This may be related to improved diagnosis and treatment of MDR-TB in the study setting and/or test limitations and has implications for TB preventive treatment. When considering TB preventive treatment for child contacts, healthcare providers should be especially concerned about any young child exposed to an adult index patient who is his/her parent/primary caregiver, has a chronic cough, and/or a history of drug misuse.
Related Concept Videos
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...
01:26Pulmonary 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...
01:28Pulmonary 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...
01:28Pulmonary 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...
01:31Pulmonary 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