Accelerated BCG as a diagnostic test of tuberculosis in children

ABSTRACT

This study included 800 children with some common pediatric problems with increased risk for tuberculosis infection [chronic cough, chronic diarrhea, PEM, nephrotic syndrome receiving steroids, malignancy] and 100 apparently healthy children as controls. Patients and controls aged 3 months to 5 years. All studied children were subjected to tuberculin test. Those with negative tuberculin test were subjected to BCG vaccination. Tuberculin test was significantly positive in 6% of the [diseased group] and 1% of the controls, [X[2] = 4.28, p. 0.05]. Acclerated BCG was found in 3% of the diseased group and in none of the controls. According to the result of tuberclin and BCG tests tuberculosis was found in 11.6%, 10%, 8% and 2% of children with chronic cough, PEM, chronic diarrhea and nephrotic syndrome receiving steroids respectivley. The clinical diagnosis was pulmonary TB [56%] TB enteritis [20.5%]. TB peritonitis [9. 6%], combined pulmonary and abdominal tuberculosis [13.7%]. This study shows that BCG is an important, reliable and inexpensive tool for supporting the diagnosis of tuberculosis in tuberculin negative children with medical conditions with increased risk of tuberculosis