December 20, 2016
Diagnosis of Tuberculosis in Adults and ChildrenThomas Glück, MD reviewing Lewinsohn DM et al. Clin Infect Dis 2016 Dec 8.
Recommendations on TB testing incorporate recent evidence on using an interferon-gamma release assay for latent TB and nucleic acid amplification testing for active TB.
Target Population: Clinicians, laboratory workers, staff in medical offices, academic training programs, medical schools, and others involved in the management of patients with latent or suspected tuberculosis (TB)
Sponsoring Organizations: American Thoracic Society, Infectious Diseases Society of America, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Background and Objective
These evidence-based consensus guidelines were formulated using the Grading, Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach.
Key PointsTB is a leading cause of infectious disease morbidity and mortality worldwide but, unfortunately, has many diagnostic uncertainties.
For testing an individual suspected of having latent TB infection, an interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) is preferred over a tuberculin skin test (TST) except in people at high risk for progression (for whom either test is appropriate) and in children younger than 5 years. However, a TST is considered an acceptable alternative.
For diagnosis of suspected pulmonary TB, a sputum volume of at least 3 mL (optimally, 5–10 mL) is required. Sputum induction rather than flexible bronchoscopic sampling is suggested for individuals unable to expectorate sputum or whose expectorated sputum is acid-fast bacilli (AFB) smear microscopy negative, leaving bronchoscopy for those unable to provide induced sputum.
Three specimens from each patient with suspected TB should be examined microscopically for AFB. Both liquid and solid mycobacterial cultures should be performed for every specimen, and recovered isolates should be identified according to standard criteria.
A nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) is recommended in AFB-positive patients and in AFB-negative patients with high suspicion of pulmonary TB.
Rapid molecular drug susceptibility testing for rifampin and, optionally, for isoniazid is recommended in AFB-positive or patients with a positive NAAT who are at risk for drug-resistant tuberculosis.
For suspected extrapulmonary TB, the diagnostic approach is similar to that for pulmonary TB. Patients with suspected pleural, peritoneal, pericardial, or central nervous system TB also should have adenosine deaminase and/or free IFN-γ levels determined in liquid specimens; in addition, tissue biopsies should be examined histologically.
From each patient with confirmed TB, an isolate should be genotyped for epidemiological reasons.
COMMENTMost of the recommendations in this guideline represent current practice, but the preference of the IGRA over the TST for diagnosing latent TB and the high rating of the NAATs in the diagnosis of active TB are novel. Even though the authors stated that they did not intend to impose a standard of care, this guideline provides the basis for rational decisions in the diagnostic evaluation of patients with possible latent TB or suspected active TB.
EDITOR DISCLOSURES AT TIME OF PUBLICATIONDisclosures for Thomas Glück, MD at time of publication
Editorial boardsConsilium Infectiorum
CITATION(S):Lewinsohn DM et al. Official American Thoracic Society/Infectious Diseases Society of America/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention clinical practice guidelines: Diagnosis of tuberculosis in adults and children. Clin Infect Dis 2016 Dec 8; [e-pub]. (Δεν είναι ορατοί οι σύνδεσμοι (links).
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READER COMMENTS (1) Reply michael posner
25 Dec 2016 4:10 PM
does previous BCG alter the interpretation of the IGRA as it does the TST? BGC was commonly given to highrisk populations in chicago and on some native american reservations as late as the 1960s, and to many european populations that subsequently immigrated to the americas.
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