info:eu-repo/semantics/article
String test: A new tool for tuberculosis diagnosis and drug-resistance detection in children
Fecha
2018-04Registro en:
Imperiale, Belén Rocío; Nieves, Cecilia; Mancino, Belén; Sanjurjo, Myriam; Tártara, Silvina; et al.; String test: A new tool for tuberculosis diagnosis and drug-resistance detection in children; Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications; International Journal of Mycobacteriology; 7; 2; 4-2018; 162-166
2212-5531
CONICET Digital
CONICET
Autor
Imperiale, Belén Rocío
Nieves, Cecilia
Mancino, Belén
Sanjurjo, Myriam
Tártara, Silvina
Di Giulio, ÁngelaBeatríz
Palomino, JuanCarlos
Morcillo, NoraSusana
Martin, Anandi
Resumen
Background: There is a critical need to improve the diagnostic accuracy of tuberculosis (TB) in children. Several techniques have been developed to improve the quality of sputum samples; however, these procedures are very unpleasant and invasive and require hospitalization and trained personnel. This study aims to explore the potential use of a new and noninvasive tool, 'string test,' for TB diagnosis in children and in adults not able to render sputum samples and at risk of developing multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB). Methods: Children with clinical suspicion of TB attending the pediatric consultation at the Cetrangolo or Cordero Hospitals and adults suspected of MDR-TB and unable to produce sputum attending the Infectious Disease Unit of Cetrangolo Hospital were included in this study. Subjects and Methods: The 'string test' is a string that is swallowed by the patients and exposed to gastrointestinal secretions that were late analyzed for TB diagnosis and drug-resistance detection by GenoType MTBDRplus. MedCalc software was used to perform statistical analysis. Results: This technique could be applied on 62.1% of selected children. About 11 (30.6%) children were diagnosed as TB cases, 8 (22.2%) from gastric aspirate and using the 'string test.' Six out of 19 adults were also diagnosed. Genotype directly on the string specimen detected two MDR-TB in adults and two isoniazid-resistant cases before obtaining the isolate. Conclusion: This test was safe, cheap, and easily implemented without requiring hospitalization. This research could represent a significant step forward to diagnose and rapidly detect drug-resistant TB in children.