OBJECTIVE To evaluate an enzyme-linked immunospot assay (ELISPOT) for the diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) in HIV-infected children with suspected TB and to compare the performance of ELISPOT with the tuberculin skin test (TST). METHODS Interferon-gamma responses to Mycobacterium tuberculosis-specific antigens were measured by ELISPOT in HIV-infected children with suspected TB. HIV-infected and...

Treatment with tumour necrosis factor-alpha inhibitors increases the risk of tuberculosis (TB). Screening for latent TB infection (LTBI) and prophylactic treatment has become mandatory. A 79-yr-old female with a history of severe erosive sero-positive rheumatoid arthritis was screened for LTBI before initiation of treatment with infliximab. The tuberculin skin test (TST) was negative, chest rad...

During the past decades, the incidence of tuberculosis (TB) has steadily declined in most west European countries, and many physicians will no longer encounter TB in their patients. Along with the declining practical experience of physicians, the chance for delay in diagnosing TB increases. An delayed diagnosis of TB index cases is the most important risk factor for the nosocomial transmission ...

BACKGROUND Occupational Tuberculosis (TB) can lead to work absenteeism and a negative professional impact. Knowing the reactivity of the tuberculin test and the risk of M. tuberculosis infection among healthcare professionals is essential for the revision and reinforcement of control measures against TB transmission. AIM To assess the reactivity of tuberculin test and risk of M. tuberculosis ...

Comprehensive new guidelines for screening, targeted testing, and treating latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) in children and adolescents are presented. The recent epidemiology of TB and data on risk factors for LTBI are reviewed. The evidence-based recommendations provided emphasize the paradigm that children and adolescents should be screened for risk factors by using a risk-factor question...

Comprehensive new guidelines for screening, targeted testing, and treating latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) in children and adolescents are presented. The recent epidemiology of TB and data on risk factors for LTBI are reviewed. The evidence-based recommendations provided emphasize the paradigm that children and adolescents should be screened for risk factors by using a risk-factor question...

BACKGROUND Accurate, rapid detection of tuberculosis (TB) and TB drug resistance is critical for improving patient care and decreasing TB transmission. Xpert® MTB/RIF assay is an automated test that can detect both TB and rifampicin resistance, generally within two hours after starting the test, with minimal hands-on technical time. The World Health Organization (WHO) issued initial recommendat...

Tuberculosis is a uniquely tough disease to diagnose and treat, mainly due to its unique cell membrane, the environment, and other socio-cultural factors. As HIV and TB rates rise in endemic countries, more and more people are becoming susceptible to an incurable TB infection, and more are being missed in the diagnostic process. Now, the need for a more sensitive diagnostic test that can be eas...

www.thelancet.com/respiratory Published online January 31, 2017 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S2213-2600(17)30012-7 1 The UN Sustainable Development Goals have led to global plans to end the tuberculosis epidemic. Individuals with latent tuberculosis infection are at risk of reactivation disease and onward transmission to contacts. Identifi cation of these people before they develop active tubercul...