Frontiers in Immunology (Mar 2024)

QuantiFERON-TB reversion in children and adolescents with tuberculosis

  • Paula Rodríguez-Molino,
  • Paula Rodríguez-Molino,
  • Paula Rodríguez-Molino,
  • Paula Rodríguez-Molino,
  • Araceli González Sánchez,
  • Antoni Noguera-Julián,
  • Antoni Noguera-Julián,
  • Antoni Noguera-Julián,
  • Antoni Noguera-Julián,
  • Aleix Soler-García,
  • Patricia Martínez Paz,
  • Ana Méndez-Echevarría,
  • Ana Méndez-Echevarría,
  • Ana Méndez-Echevarría,
  • Ana Méndez-Echevarría,
  • Fernando Baquero-Artigao,
  • Fernando Baquero-Artigao,
  • Fernando Baquero-Artigao,
  • Fernando Baquero-Artigao,
  • Miguel González Muñoz,
  • María Jesús Ruíz-Serrano,
  • María Jesús Ruíz-Serrano,
  • María Jesús Ruíz-Serrano,
  • Manuel Monsonís,
  • Rocío Sánchez León,
  • Rocío Sánchez León,
  • Jesús Saavedra-Lozano,
  • Begoña Santiago-García,
  • Begoña Santiago-García,
  • Begoña Santiago-García,
  • Talía Sainz,
  • Talía Sainz,
  • Talía Sainz,
  • Talía Sainz,
  • Talía Sainz

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2024.1310472
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 15

Abstract

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We analyzed 136 children with tuberculosis disease or infection and a positive QuantiFERON-TB (QFT) assay, followed-up for a median of 21 months (0.4-11years). QFT reversed in 16.9% of cases, with significant decreases in TB1 (-1.72 vs. -0.03 IU/ml, p=0.001) and TB2 (-1.65 vs. -0.43 IU/ml, p=0.005) levels compared to non-reverters. We found a higher QFT reversion rate among children under 5 years (25.0% vs 11.9%, p=0.042), and those with TST induration <15mm (29% vs 13.3%, p=0.055). Our data reveal that, although QFT test remained positive in the majority of children, reversion occurred in 16% of cases in a progressive and stable pattern. Younger age and reduced TST induration were associated with QFT reversion.

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