Newer Methods For The Diagnosis of Childhood Tuberculosis

Paramasivan, C N (1999) Newer Methods For The Diagnosis of Childhood Tuberculosis. Pediatrics Today, 2 (1). pp. 54-59.

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Abstract

For an infectious disease like tuberculosis, which is transmitted by aerosol droplets, the rapid and accurate detection of M.tuberculosis is essential, not only to speed up the treatment of the patient but also to control the spread of the disease. Tuberculosis in childhood occurs with different manifestations. All these forms of tuberculosis, except when cavitation occurs in pulmonary tuberculosis, are paucibacillary in nature. For this reason, even though at the present time bacteriological confirmation is still the final proof of tuberculous disease, it is difficult to obtain. Depending on the form of disease manifestation, several specimens like sputum and/or gastric lavage, as children are often unable to produce sputum, lymph nodes and other biopsy specimens, pus, ascitic fluid, pleural or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) need to be collected. If delay is anticipated, relevant specimens may be collected in suitable transport medium for sending it to the laboratory. There are two ways to address diagnosis of tuberculosis. The direct approach is concerned with the detection of the bacteria by microscopy or culture, detection of tuberculostearic acid (bacterial wall component), detection and identification of mycobacterial antigen by the use of polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies, analysis of lipid composition by chromatography, and the detection of DNA or RNA of mycobacterial origin by hybridization with a DNA probe with or without amplification of nucleic acids. The indirect approach relates to measurement of host immune response against the mycobacteria. This includes humoral immunity via the detection of antibodies against the bacteria and cellular response via skin tests.

Item Type: Article
Subjects: Tuberculosis > Laboratory Research > Bacteriological
Divisions: Basic Science Research > Bacteriology
Depositing User: Dr. Rathinasabapati R
Date Deposited: 04 Nov 2013 06:45
Last Modified: 10 Mar 2016 08:54
URI: http://eprints.nirt.res.in/id/eprint/490

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