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Mycobacterial lymphadenitis in childhood
American Journal of Diseases of Children (1960)
|July 1, 1978
Summary
Diagnosing childhood mycobacterial adenitis involves using tuberculin skin testing to distinguish it from pyogenic infections. Repeated testing helps differentiate atypical mycobacteria from Mycobacterium tuberculosis by observing response changes.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
Background:
- Childhood mycobacterial adenitis diagnosis requires specific tools.
- Tuberculin skin testing is a key diagnostic method when atypical mycobacteria antigens are unavailable.
Purpose of the Study:
- To define optimal diagnostic steps for childhood mycobacterial adenitis.
- To evaluate the utility of tuberculin skin testing in differentiating mycobacterial adenitis types.
Main Methods:
- Studied 42 cases of childhood mycobacterial adenitis.
- Examined tuberculin skin testing effectiveness, including repetitive testing over 3-6 months.
- Considered history of tuberculosis exposure and extralymphatic tuberculosis evidence.
Main Results:
- Tuberculin skin testing differentiates mycobacterial adenitis from pyogenic bacterial infections.
- Repetitive tuberculin testing reveals decreasing response in atypical mycobacterial adenitis versus stable response in tuberculous adenitis.
- PPD skin test before node manipulation is recommended; reactive tests warrant complete excision.
Conclusions:
- Tuberculin skin testing is crucial for diagnosing and differentiating childhood mycobacterial adenitis.
- Repetitive testing patterns are indicative of atypical versus tuberculous causes.
- Pre-surgical PPD testing and complete excision for reactive cases are advised.