Challenges in diagnosing tuberculosis in children: a comparative study from Sudan

Abstract

Objectives: The diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) in children is challenging due to insufficient specimen material and the scarcity of bacilli in specimens. This study aimed to evaluate methods for diagnosing TB in children in Sudan. Methods: Patients (N = 197) were subjected to the tuberculin skin test (TST). Gastric lavage or sputum specimens were then collected, processed, and cultured as per standard procedures. Results: Culture on Löwenstein–Jensen medium, the reference standard, revealed growth in 16.2% of the specimens. Comparative analysis showed that 43.7% were positive for the TST (sensitivity 100%, specificity 67.3%), 8.1% were positive by Ziehl–Neelsen stain (sensitivity 43.8%, specificity 98.8%), 11.2% by auramine stain (sensitivity 56.3%, specificity 98.8%), and 17.8% were positive for PCR amplification of the IS6110 sequence (sensitivity 100%, specificity 98.8%). Conclusions: It is concluded that whilst TST and IS6110 achieved 100% sensitivity based on the reference standard of culture, the latter was more specific. The TST is recommended for routine diagnosis and the use of PCR for particular cases, depending on the facilities and the urgency.

Keywords

• Childhood tuberculosis
• Sputum
• Gastric lavage
• TB laboratory diagnosis IS6110
• Khartoum
• Sudan