TB infection in children receiving genetically engineered biologic drugs

The priority of modern phthisiology is the disease prevention in people of the risk groups. These are also patients who receive genetically engineered biological drugs (GIBD). The greatest risk of developing tuberculosis is associated with the intake of TNF-α inhibitors.Research objective is to study the course of tuberculosis infection in children with rheumatoid diseases receiving GIBD.204 patients with rheumatoid diseases, referred for TB specialist advice, was carried out. All patients received GIBD, mainly for juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (95%). The remaining cases were represented with children with Crohn’s disease, systemic scleroderma and systemic lupus erythematosus.The probability of the patient having a latent tuberculosis infection (LTI) was evaluated by the result of the Mantoux test and the samples for the release of IFN- and/or samples with antigen tuberculosis recombinant (Diaskintest®). All the patients were performed CT scan of the respiratory system to exclude local tuberculosis. 86% patients were infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. 12 children out of 154 (8%) had positive Diaskintest® results and 19 children (9.3%) had local tuberculosis on CT, two of them with disseminated tuberculosis.Preventive tuberculosis treatment was received only by 10% of patients taking long-term GIBD, and was observed in no cases among children having tuberculosis.Children receiving genetically engineered biological drugs are at risk for the disease of...
Source: European Respiratory Journal - Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Tags: Tuberculosis Source Type: research