BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis is a major cause of childhood morbidity and mortality in Nigeria. Diagnosis of childhood tuberculosis is a global challenge making early treatment a mirage. In this study we investigated the stools of children for the presence of mycobacteria. METHODS: Stool samples from children aged 3 days to 3 years who presented for postnatal immunization at a large university-based clinic in Nigeria, were subjected to Ziehl-Neelsen staining. Samples with acid-fast bacilli were further processed using mycobacterial culture, spoligotyping, and deletion typing. RESULTS: One hundred and ninety-two stool samples from different children were collected and processed. Thirty (15.6%) had acid-fast bacilli. Of these, eight had Mycobacterium tuberculosis and one had Mycobacterium africanum. CONCLUSIONS: Approximately 5% (9/192) of apparently well children had evidence of potentially serious tuberculosis infection. The usefulness of stool specimens for diagnosing pediatric tuberculosis warrants further investigation.
BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis is a major cause of childhood morbidity and mortality in Nigeria. Diagnosis of childhood tuberculosis is a global challenge making early treatment a mirage. In this study we investigated the stools of children for the presence of mycobacteria. METHODS: Stool samples from children aged 3 days to 3 years who presented for postnatal immunization at a large university-based clinic in Nigeria, were subjected to Ziehl-Neelsen staining. Samples with acid-fast bacilli were further processed using mycobacterial culture, spoligotyping, and deletion typing. RESULTS: One hundred and ninety-two stool samples from different children were collected and processed. Thirty (15.6%) had acid-fast bacilli. Of these, eight had Mycobacterium tuberculosis and one had Mycobacterium africanum. CONCLUSIONS: Approximately 5% (9/192) of apparently well children had evidence of potentially serious tuberculosis infection. The usefulness of stool specimens for diagnosing pediatric tuberculosis warrants further investigation.
Authors: Richard A Oberhelman; Giselle Soto-Castellares; Luz Caviedes; Maria E Castillo; Patricia Kissinger; David A J Moore; Carlton Evans; Robert H Gilman Journal: Pediatrics Date: 2006-06-02 Impact factor: 7.124
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Authors: R M Warren; N C Gey van Pittius; M Barnard; A Hesseling; E Engelke; M de Kock; M C Gutierrez; G K Chege; T C Victor; E G Hoal; P D van Helden Journal: Int J Tuberc Lung Dis Date: 2006-07 Impact factor: 2.373
Authors: S Manatsathit; S Tansupasawasdikul; D Wanachiwanawin; S Setawarin; P Suwanagool; S Prakasvejakit; S Leelakusolwong; B Eampokalap; U Kachintorn Journal: J Gastroenterol Date: 1996-08 Impact factor: 7.527