Korean J Pediatr.  2009 May;52(5):519-528. 10.3345/kjp.2009.52.5.519.

Treatment of latent tuberculous infection in children and adolescent

• Kim JH

• KMID: 2281454
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3345/kjp.2009.52.5.519

Abstract

Tuberculosis continues to cause an unacceptably high toll of disease and death among children worldwide. Whereas intense scientific and clinical research efforts into novel diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive interventions have focused on tuberculosis in adults, childhood tuberculosis has been relatively neglected. However, children are particularly vulnerable to severe disease and death following infection, and those with latent infection become the reservoir for future transmission following disease reactivation in adulthood, fuelling future epidemics. Therefore, it is very important to understand the significance, diagnosis and treatment of latent tuberculous infection to decrease a future disease burden of tuberculosis. Unfortunately, these concept still have not fully implicated in Korean National Tuberculosis Control Program, it should be engaged and enforced as soon as possible.

Keyword

Tuberculosis; Children; Latent tuberculous infection; LTBI; Tuberculin skin test; Interferon gamma releasing assay; Anti-tuberculous drug

MeSH Terms

Adolescent
Adult
Child
Humans
Tuberculosis