Mantoux tests of children in household contact with adult acid fast bacilli-positive or -negative pulmonary tuberculosis
Abstract: Tuberculosis (TB) is
the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in developing countries. In
children, the major source of TB transmission is adults with pulmonary TB who
have acid fast bacilli (AFB)-positive sputum. However, tuberculosis infection
can also occur in children in household contact with adults who have
AFB-negative pulmonary TB.
Objective To compare Mantoux test results and induration diameters in
children with adult pulmonary TB household contact who were either positive or
negative for AFB, and to assess for possible associations between Mantoux test
results with age, family income, and house ventilation in both groups.
Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted from January to March 2014.
Mantoux test was performed in children aged 3 months to 18 years who had
household contact with either AFB-positive or -negative adult pulmonary TB
patients.
Results A total of 106 children were enrolled in the study. All subjects
had household contact with adult pulmonary TB patients who were either
AFB-positive (54 children) or AFB-negative (52 children). Mean Mantoux test
induration diameters were significantly different between groups (10.9 (SD
6.55) mm vs. 6.2 (SD 5.91) mm, respectively; P=0.001). In addition, there was
significantly higher risk of positive Mantoux test in children in contact with
adult AFB-positive TB patients than in the AFB-negative group (OR 5.66; 95%CI
2.36-13.59; P=0.0001). However, there were no significant differences in
positive Mantoux test results in each of the AFB-positive and -negative groups,
with regards to age, family income, or house ventilation.
Conclusion Mean Mantoux test induration diameter in children who had
household contact with AFB-positive adults is significantly larger than that of
the AFB-negative group. Positive Mantoux test results in children are
associated with AFB-positive adult TB in the household. There is no association
between positive Mantoux test results and age, family income, or house
ventilation in both groups.
Keywords: tuberculosis;
children; acid fast bacilli; household contact
Author: Wardah, Ridwan Muktar
Daulay, Emil Azlin, Wisman Dalimunthe, Rini Savitri Daulay
Journal Code: jpkedokterangg170001
