Application of Modern Immunological Tests and X-Ray Methods in the Diagnosis of Tuberculosis of the Intrathoracic Lymph Nodes in Children

Peter K. Yablonsky, PhD, ScD¹'², Irina F. Dovgalyuk, PhD, ScD¹, Anna A. Starshinova, PhD¹*, Pavel V. Gavrilov, PhD¹, Olga A. Yakunova¹

1Saint Petersburg Research Institute of Phthisiopulmonology,

²Saint Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russian Federation

*Corresponding author: Anna A. Starshinova, PhD, Senior Researcher, Department of Child Phthisiatry, Federal State Institution «Saint Petersburg Research Institute of Phthisiopulmonology» of Ministry of Public Health and Social Development of Russian Federation, 2-4, Ligovsky ave., 191036, Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation Tel: 7-812-2972263. E-mail: starshinova_777@mail.ru

Abstract: 

This study helped to ascertain the superiority of Diaskintest® (DST) with respect to the wealth of information it provides when compared with the Mantoux test with PPD 2 TU (M2) in determining the activity of tuberculosis infection in children. The evaluation parameters of diagnostic value with DST (DE=77.5%, NPV=72.4%, PPV=91.1%) were significantly higher than with M2x test 2TU (DE=57.2%, NPV=47.6%, PPV=53.2%). On positive testing with Diaskintest®, Tuberculosis of Intrathoracic Lymph Nodes (TITLN) showed nodes larger than 0.5 cm, which was determined in 80.4% and could be estimated as minor manifestations of intrathoracic lymphadenopathy against the background of the high activity of tuberculosis infection. Diaskintest® and X-ray methods are mandatory in the diagnosis of tuberculosis in children. This is absolutely necessary to adequately assess the child’s condition and provide timely administration of disease specific therapy.

Keywords: 
tuberculosis; children; Diaskintest®; QuantiFERON-TB test; computed tomography; diagnostics.
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Int J Biomed. 2012;2(3):204-210.©2012 International Medical Research and Development Corporation. All rights reserved.