Abstract

MENGUAL GIL, José María  and  GRUPO PREVINFAD/PAPPS INFANCIA Y ADOLESCENCIA et al. Tuberculosis screening. Rev Pediatr Aten Primaria [online]. 2016, vol.18, n.69, pp.65-79. ISSN 1139-7632.

There is evidence that latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) screening in low incidence areas, has a poor efficiency, many false positives and is not cost-effective. There is evidence that LTBI screening in groups at high risk of developing active tuberculosis infection (ATBI) improves the efficiency of the diagnostic tests as well as the risk-benefit balance and should take part of the strategies to reduce tuberculosis impact. Tuberculin skin test is still the best performing diagnostic test in the screening for latent tuberculosis infection in children and adolescents. PrevInfad recommendations (GRADE): 1. Universal screening of latent tuberculosis infection in children and adolescents of our country is not recommended. 2. Universal screening of latent tuberculosis infection in high risk groups of children and adolescents is recommended. 3. Tuberculin skin test (TST) as the first test for screening of latent tuberculosis infection in children and adolescents of our country is suggested. 4. IGRA for children and adolescents five or more years old with a positive TST and history of BCG vaccination, is suggested in order to improve the screening test specificity.

Keywords : Tuberculosis; Latent tuberculosis infection; Mass screening; Tuberculin skin test; Interferon gamma release assays.