ABSTRACT
Since distinguishing pulmonary (PTB) from latent tuberculosis (LTBI) in pediatric patients remains a challenge, we aimed to investigate the efficacy of immune mediators in diagnosing PTB and LTBI in this population. In this cross-sectional study performed with children and adolescents, serum levels of 20 biomarkers were assessed and data were analyzed according to age groups. We included 65 participants (PTB, n = 28 and LTBI, n = 37). Overall, levels of TNF-α, IL-1Ra, IL-6, IL-17A, VEGF, MMP-1, and procalcitonin were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in adolescents and children <10 years-old with PTB. Also, principal component analysis (PCA) showed that immune mediators were able to distinguish PTB from LTBI. VEGF and IL-1Ra presented the highest area under the curve (AUC) values, both separately (AUC 0.890 and 0.785) and combined (AUC 0.99). Taken together, we showed that VEGF and IL-1Ra are promising biomarkers to distinguish PTB from LTBI in pediatric patients, especially in children <5 years-old.
Subject(s)
Latent Tuberculosis , Mycobacterium tuberculosis , Adolescent , Biomarkers , Child , Child, Preschool , Cross-Sectional Studies , Humans , Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein , Receptors, Interleukin-1 , Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A , Vascular Endothelial Growth FactorsABSTRACT
Tuberculin skin test (TST) is a test based on purified protein derivative of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (or PPD). TST has been considered a standard for identifying tuberculous infected people by the World Health Organization (WHO) since 1955. However, other immunological tests that measure the interferon gamma production(Interferon gamma release assays or IGRAs) in the individual`s cells with latent tuberculosis (TB) infection (LTBI) have been used as surrogate TST, despite having certain restrictions. WHO has made several recommendations for preventive treatment in cases of LTBI aiming to supplant the universal shortage of PPD since 2014. Some rules for identifying LTBI individuals without the TST still reiterate the importance of this test in many countries.
La reacción tuberculina (RT) es una prueba cutánea que emplea el derivado proteico purificado de Mycobacterium tuberculosis o PPD. Desde 1955 ha sido considerada estándar para identificar personas infectadas por el bacilo de la tuberculosis por la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS). Sin embargo, otras pruebas inmunológicas que miden la producción de interferon gama (IGRAs) por las células del individuo con infección latente de TB (ILTB) se han empleado como sucedáneas de la RT, a pesar de presentar ciertas restricciones. La OMS ha hecho diversas recomendaciones para la conducta preventiva en casos de ILTB que de alguna forma buscan suplantar la falta universal de PPD desde 2014. Algunas perspectivas de identificar personas con ILTB sin contar con el PPD reiteran todavía la importancia de la RT en muchos países.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Child , Tuberculin Test , Tuberculosis/diagnosis , Interferon-gamma Release TestsABSTRACT
Objetivo: identificar práticas alternativas de cuidado utilizadas por familiares de crianças e adolescentes com infecção latente por tuberculose (ILTB) sob tratamento preventivo com isoniazida (TPI) na comunidade da Rocinha, município do Rio de Janeiro-RJ, Brasil. Métodos: estudo descritivo, por meio de inquérito domiciliar com familiares de crianças e adolescentes com até 11 anos de idade tratados com TPI em um Centro Municipal de Saúde; a coleta de dados ocorreu em 2011, por meio de questionário. Resultados: o TPI foi empregado em 85 casos de ILTB; as práticas de cuidados foram adotadas por 52 familiares; em 35/52 casos, houve emprego de ervas e alimentos especiais pela família; em 17/52, houve mudanças de hábitos de vida, como evitar sereno, chuva e esforço físico. Conclusão: foram identificadas práticas desnecessárias de cuidados coadjuvantes ao TPI realizadas pelos familiares das crianças e adolescentes com ILTB.
Objective: to identify alternative healthcare practices applied by families of children and adolescents with latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) having Isoniazid Preventive Therapy (IPT) in the Rocinha neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro city, Brazil. Methods: this was a descriptive study using a household survey with parents of children and adolescents aged under 11 years undergoing IPT at a municipal health center. The data was collected in 2011 using a questionnaire. Results: 85 LTBI cases were having IPT. Adjuvant care practices in addition to IPT were employed by 52 families. In 35/52 cases families used herbs and special foods. In 17/52 cases there were changes in lifestyle habits, such as: avoiding drizzle, rain and physical exertion. Conclusion: Unnecessary adjuvant IPT practices used by families of children and adolescents with LTBI were identified.
Objetivo: identificar prácticas alternativas de cuidado utilizadas por familiares de niños y adolescentes con infección latente por tuberculosis (ILTB) en tratamiento preventivo con isoniazida (TPI) en la comunidad de la Rocinha, municipio de Rio de Janeiro-RJ, Brasil.Métodos: estudio descriptivo, a través de cuestionario domiciliar con familiares de niños y adolescentes de hasta 11 años de edad tratados con TPI en un Centro Municipal de Salud; la colecta de datos ocurrió en 2011, a través de cuestionario.Resultados: el TPI se empleó en 85 casos de ILTB; las prácticas de cuidados fueron adoptadas por 52 familiares; en 35/52 casos, la familia hizo uso de hierbas y alimentos especiales; en 17/52, hubo cambios de hábitos de vida, como evitar el sereno, la lluvia y los esfuerzos físicos.Conclusion: se identificaron prácticas innecesarias de cuidados coadyuvantes al TPI realizadas por los familiares de los niños y adolescentes con ILTB.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Child , Adolescent , Antitubercular Agents/therapeutic use , Complementary Therapies , Isoniazid/therapeutic use , Latent Tuberculosis/therapy , Brazil , Epidemiology, DescriptiveABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the impact of asthma on activity limitation, symptoms and emotional function in the health-related quality of life (HRQL) of asthmatic children. METHODS: A cross-sectional study involving 59 children of 7 to 12 y of age. A standardized version of the Pediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire was used to evaluate HRQL and the current criteria for socioeconomic stratification in Brazil were used to assess socioeconomic status. Independent variables evaluated included clinical and sociodemographic characteristics. The association between mean HRQL scores and the independent variables was evaluated using the Mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn tests. Statistical significance was defined as a p-value < 0.05. RESULTS: Thirty-two families (56.1 %) had a total household income of more than two minimum wages, while 37 families (62.7 %) were considered lower middle class. Mean overall HRQL score was 4.8 ± 1.3 (out of a maximum score of 7), suggesting reasonable HRQL. There was a weak association between independent variables and mean overall HRQL scores and the mean scores in the emotional function domain. Higher socioeconomic status was related to higher scores for the symptoms domain (p = 0.041). Furthermore, children exposed to indoor mould reported greater impairment in the symptoms domain(p = 0.022). The severity of asthma was associated with the activity limitation domain (p = 0.025). CONCLUSIONS: These results showed a reasonable mean HRQL score and an association between the severity of asthma and the activity limitation domain.
