PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Natasa Nenadic
AU  - Branka Kristic-Kirin
AU  - Ivan Pavic
AU  - Renata Zrinski Topic
AU  - Ivka Zoricic-Letoja
AU  - Slavica Dodig
TI  - Serial interferon-gamma release assay in children younger than 5 years with latent tuberculosis infection
DP  - 2011 Sep 01
TA  - European Respiratory Journal
PG  - p4977
VI  - 38
IP  - Suppl 55
4099  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/38/Suppl_55/p4977.short
4100  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/38/Suppl_55/p4977.full
SO  - Eur Respir J2011 Sep 01; 38
AB  - Background: Interferon gamma release assays (IGRAs) play an important role in diagnosis of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI), but there is paucity of data about IGRA dynamic values, especially in children younger than 5 years.Aim: To evaluate the performance of serial IGRA and tuberculin skin testing (TST) in children younger than 5 years with LTBI.Methods: We included 11 BCG vaccinated children younger than 5 years with LTBI. The commercial IGRA (QuantiFERON TB Gold In-Tube®, QFT-GIT), Cellestis Ltd, Carnegie, Australia) was performed two times, before and at the end of 6-month chemoprophylaxis. The cut-off value for positive findings of IGRA was ≥ 0.35 kIU/L. The TST was performed using 2 IU (0.1 mL) of purified protein derivative Tuberkulin PPD RT 23 SSI (Statens Serum Institut, Denmark) according to the Mantoux method and transverse diameter of the induration was measured after 72 hours.Results: IGRA values were 8.87±2.01 kIU/L and 8.02±1.99 kIU/L, before and after chemoprophylaxis, respectively, which suggests a slight, insignificant decrease (p=0.89). There was no significant difference in PPD values before (12±2 mm) and after (14±2 mm) the treatment, p=0.50.Conclusions: Although the prophylaxis was used, both IGRA and PPD values, remained elevated during the period of 6 months in children with LTBI. Further research is needed to clarify the role of serial IGRA in children up to 5 years.