Role of IGRA in screening of tuberculosis for children with close TB contacts / 实用医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To study the feasibility of in vitro release of γ-interferon tests (IGRA) in screening of tuberculosis for children with close TB contacts. Methods 185 children with close TB contacts were detected by IGRA at the pediatric clinic in our hospital. Results In IGRA-positive group, the rate of strong positive PPD (PDD≥15 mm) was 50.9%, which was higher than 9.1% in IGRA-negative group (X2 =37.263, P < 0.00). The morbidity rate for children with close TB contacts was 30.2% in IGRA-positive group, and it was significantly higher than 3.0% in IGRA-negative group (X2 = 28.928, P < 0.00). The sensitivity was 80% and the specificity was 77.6% for IGRA screening in children who had close contacts with TB patients. The sensitivity would be 95.0%, as the test was combined with PPD test. Conclusions IGRA screening in children with close TB contacts can increase the detection rate of tuberculosis and reduce imaging screening.