CPM7th TB in Infancy and Childhood

Philippine Pediatric Society, Inc.
32 Misamis St., Bago Bantay, Quezon City

Tel # 926-6758 to 59, 922-2435 Fax # 926-2381
Board of Trustees
President
Vice-President
Secretary

Assistant Secretary

Treasurer
Assitant Treasurer
Immediate Past President
Honorary President
Members
Mindanao
Visayas
Luzon
Estrella Paje-Villar, MD
Jocelyn J. Yambao-Franco, MD
Victor S. Doctor, MD
Aurora F. Bauzon, MD
Genesis C. Rivera, MD
Margaret L. Fong, MD
Joel S. Elises, MD
Fe Del Mundo, MD

Melinda M. Atienza, MD
Milagros S. Bautista, MD
Salvacion R. Gatchalian, MD
Alexander O. Tuazon, MD
Gregorio G. Cardona, Jr., MD
Suzette R. Elegado, MD
Roberto A. Espos, Jr., MD
TB IN INFANCY & CHILDHOOD-Excerpts from PPS Handbook on Childhood TB

CPM 7 th EDITION

Council on Community Service and

Child Advocacy

Council Directors

Genesis C. Rivera, M.D.

May B. Montellano, M.D.
Mary Noreen C. Chua, M.D.
Alejandro A. Menardo, M.D.
Committee on Handbook on Childhood

Tuberculosis 2003

Chair
Co-chair
Margaret T. Lu-Fong, M.D.

Cleotilde H. How, M.D.

Members

Maria Anna P. Baez, M.D.

Ma. Eva L. Dizon, M.D.
Ramoncito G. Yambao, M.D.
Contributors

Ma. Cecilia G. Ama, M.D.

Ma. Anna P. Baez, M.D.
Mary Ann C. Bunyi, M.D.
Celia C. Carlos, M.D.
Luis T. Chan, M.D.
Nerissa A. De Leon, M.D.
Ma. Eva L. Dizon, M.D.
Ma. Liza M. Gonzales, M.D.
Anna Lisa Ong-Lim, M.D.
Jaime A. Santos, M.D.
Celia T. Sy, M.D.
Hazel R. VIlla, M.D.
Ramoncito G. Yambao, M.D.

Council Advisers

Lino Ed Lim, M.D

Perla D. Santos-Ocampo, M.D.
Carmelita B. Cuyugan, M.D.

Handbook Advisers

Fe Del Mundo, M.D.

Estrella Paje-Villar, M.D.
Rosalinda B. Soriano, M.D.
CPM 7th EDITION
Algorithm for Preventive Therapy of Childhood

Tuberculosis
1
TB
Exposure
Class I
3
< 5 yrs old?
Start INH for

3 months
Repeat
Mantoux Test
after 3 months
N
(+) result ?
Radiologic
findings &/or
signs/symptoms
suggestive of TB ?
N
9
Discontinue INH
If no BCG scan,
give BCG
TB infection
(Class II)
11
Continue > 6
months INH
Figure 1
PPS, PIDSP, PhilCAT, National Consensus on Children
infection
TB
(Class III)
10
Multiple drug
therapy

CPM 7 th EDITION

Pathogenesis
I. Portal of Entry
Entry into the body occurs largely by inhalation of
aerosolized particles containing 1-3 tubercle bacilli that
are deposited in the alveoli. Ghon and Kuedlich showed
in 1930 that the primary focus in 2,114 autopsies in
children was in the lung in 95.93 percent of case.1
II. Incubation Period

This refers to the period from the time the tubercle bacilli
enter the body until tissue hypersensitivity develops,
as manifested by a positive tuberculin test. This has
been found to range from 19 to 56 days (3-8 weeks);
however, the incubation period may be shorter when
the inoculum is large.1
"The time interval between the initial infection with
tubercle bacilli and the development of an altered tissue reaction to the bacilli and their metabolic products
is the incubation period of tuberculosis." M Pardo de
Tavera (1975)
III. Immunopathogenesis
There are four stages of the pulmonary pathology as
described by Dannenberg.2 In the first stage scavenging
nonactivated alveolar macrophages ingest the tubercle
bacilli which gets destroyed or inhibited depending on
the virulence of the organism and the innate microbicidal
ability of the macrophages.
The second stage is the stage of symbiosis. If the original macrophage fails to destroy the bacilli, the bacilli
undergo unrestrained replication, eventually destroying the macrophage. Other alveolar macrophages and
blood-borne monocytes are then attracted by chemotaxis
to wherever the bacilli are released. With time, more
and more macrophages and more and more bacilli accumulate in the developing lesion called tubercle or
granuloma2,4.
In the third stage, the logarithmic increase in the
number of bacilli is inhibited by the development
of cell-mediated immunity (CMI) and delayed-type
hypersensitivity (DTH). Although the macrophages
that first ingest M. tuberculosis may not kill these
organisms, they initiate both DTH and CMI, which
eventually contain the infection. Infected macrophages
present tuberculous antigens to T lymphocytes. T
lymphocytes get sensitized, to produce a progeny
of similarly reactive cells and secrete lymphokines
(IFN gamma and TNF) that activate macrophages.
Activated macrophages secrete lytic enzymes and
reactive metabolites that greatly enhance killing of
bacilli; but if released into surrounding tissue may
also cause tissue necrosis. This enhanced microbicidal
activity of macrophage comprises cell-mediated immunity2,3,4.

DTH is immunologically the same process as CMI,
involving T cells and their cytokines. However, Dannenberg defines DTH "pathologically" as the immunological reaction that causes caseous necrosis, i.e. the
death of local macrophages and nearby tissues. Both
CMI and DTH inhibit the multiplication of bacilli
equally. CMI does so by activating macrophages into
killing ingested bacilli and DTH, by killing bacilliladen non-activated macrophages in nearby tissues to
eliminate the intracellular environment which favors
bacillary growth2,3.
The pathologic events in the initial tuberculosis infection seem to depend on the balance among the mycobacterial antigen load, cell-mediated immunity and
tissue hypersensitivity. When the antigen load is small
and the degree of tissue sensitivity is high, a vigorous
granulomatous reaction is produced. Tubercle bacilli are
killed by activated macrophages, surrounded by fibrous
tissue and successfully contained. When the antigen load
is high, hypersensitivity reaction produces significant
tissue necrosis with characteristic cheese-like (caseous)
consistency. In solid caseous material, the tubercle
bacilli can survive even for years, but cannot multiply
due to anoxic condition, reduced pH and presence of
inhibitory fatty acid 3,6.
Caseous necrosis, however is inherently unstable and
has the tendency to liquefy, especially in the lungs. This
comprises the fourth stage, a stage of liquefaction.
Liquefaction of the caseous center provides an excellent growth medium for the bacilli. The bacilli multiply
extracellularly, producing an increase in population
of bacilli. CMI, even if well developed, is frequently
ineffective in controlling the large number of bacilli.
DTH acts on this large antigen load resulting in cavity
formation and destruction of bronchial wall. The bacilli
and liquefied caseous material are discharged into the
airways and spread to other parts of the lungs and the
outside environment 2,3,4.
IV. Pathology
The lung lesion of primary tuberculosis is known as
the Ghon focus. It is usually located in the subpleural
area of the upper segment of the lower lobe or in the
lower segment of the upper lobes. It starts as a small,
ill-defined area of inflammatory consolidation. Concurrent with the onset of primary infection, the tubercle
bacilli, either free or within macrophage are carried via
lymphatics to regional (most often hilar and mediastinal)
lymph nodes. The primary pulmonary focus, infected
lymph nodes and associated lymphangitis form the
CPM 7th EDITION
3,6
timing of the initial infection and its common complications. Figure 1 provides the clinician with a "realistic
prognosis, an understanding of what complication to
look for and when, and a more productive approach to
finding the infectious contact"1.
Ghon complex . Other authors describe the Ghon

complex as a combination of calcified peripheral lung
lesions and calcified hilar nodes 4,5.
M. tuberculosis bacilli disseminate from these lymph
nodes through the lymphatics and blood vessels. Tissues that are highly vascularized or have high oxygen
tensions favor retention and bacillary multi-plication
and these include lymph nodes, kidneys, the epiphysis
of long bones, vertebral bodies and most importantly,
the apical posterior areas of the lung. The bacilli may
cause disease in these sites promptly after the primary
infection or lie dormant in tissue macrophages and cause
disease many years later 3,5,6.
In most instances, the primary infection is controlled,
with a positive skin test as the only evidence of infection. In both the lungs and the lymph nodes, the lesions
of the Ghon complex heal by shrinkage, fibrous scarring and calcification. Most of the organism die, but a
few may remain viable and reactivate later, if immune
mechanisms wane or fail 3,6.
A less common alternative course is primary progressive tuberculosis which occurs in situations where the
immune response fails to control multi-plication. The
Ghon focus in the lung enlarge and may even erode into
the bronchial tree. The affected hilar and mediastinal
lymph nodes also enlarge, sometimes compressing the
bronchi to produce atelectasis of the distal lung. One
sequela of this compression is collapse of the middle
lobe, the "middle lobe syndrome". The infected lymph
nodes may likewise erode into an airway to spread organisms throughout the lung that may render the child
potentially contagious.
Miliary tuberculosis refers to infection at disseminated
sites where multiple small yellow nodular lesions are
produced in several organs like the lungs, lymph nodes,
kidney, adrenal, bone marrow, spleen and liver. Progressive disease may involve the meninges and cause TB
meningitis 3,4,5,6.
V. Timetable of Tuberculosis
Walgren's timetable described the usual early course and
The timetable shows that the first 5 years after initial

tuberculosis infection in childhood but especially the
first year are the time when complications are expected
to occur. However, later in life, especially in times
of stress, a previously silent or arrested lesion may
reactivate and become dangerous to the patient and
infectious to others.
For chronic pulmonary TB, the interval between initial
infection and disease is markedly variable depending on
the age the child acquired the infection; in adolescents
the interval is often short but in infants, much longer.
Lesions involving bones and joints seen in 5-10%
of infected children do not appear until about a year
after infection, at the earliest. Renal involvement appears much later, 5 to 25 years after initial infection.
Symptomatic, massive lymphohematogenous spread,
i.e. miliary or acute meningeal tuberculosis, is rare
and seen in only 0.5 to 3 percent of affected children.
When it occurs the usual onset is 2 to 6 months after
initial infection; endobronchial tuberculosis develops
later.
Reference:
1 Starke JR and Smith MH. Tuberculosis. In: Feigin RD
and Cheny JD, eds. Textbook of Pediatric Infectious
Diseases, 4th ed. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders Co., 1998;
1196-1239.
2 Dannenberg, AM, Jr. Pathogenesis and Immunology: Basic
Aspects. In: Schlossberg D, ed. Tuberculosis, 3rd edition.
New York: Springer-Verlag, 1994: 17-27.
3 Rubin E. and Farber JL (eds): Textbook of Pathology, 3rd
ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott-Raven, 1999; 423-427.
4 Adler JJ and Rose DN. Transmission and Pathogenesis
of Tuberculosis. In: Rom WN and Garay SM, eds.
Tuberculosis, Boston: Little Brown and Company, 1996;
129-140.
5 Inselman LS. Tuberculosis in Children: An Update Pediatric Pulmonology. 1996; 21: 101-120.
6 Haas DW. Mycobacterium Tuberculosis. In: Mandell GL,
et al, eds. Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases,
5th ed. New York: Churchill Livingstone, 2000: 25762604.
Figure 1. Wallgren's timetable of tuberculosis (Modified from Feigin1)

CPM 7 th EDITION

Clinical Manifestations
I. Classification
II. Clinical Forms
A. Pulmonary/Endothoracic TB
1. Asymptomatic or Latent TB Infection (LTBI)
2. Primary/Childhood TB
3. Pleurisy with Effusion
4. Progressive Primary TB
5. Endobronchial TB
6. Miliary TB
7. Chronic Pulmonary TB
8. Tuberculoma
9. Pericardial TB
B. Extrapulmonary TB
1. TB of the Cervical Lymph Nodes (Scrofula)
2. TB of the Central Nervous System

TB meningitis

Tuberculoma/TB Abscess
3. Skeletal TB

TB of bone and joints: TB of the spine

(Pott's disease)

TB arthritis
4. Gastrointestinal TB

TB enteritis (tabes mesenterica)

TB peritonitis

Hepatobiliary TB

TB of the pancreas
5. Cutaneous TB (scrofuloderma)
6. Ocular TB (phlyctenular kerato conjunctivi-

tis)
7. Genitourinary TB

Renal TB

Genital TB
8. TB of the Middle Ear
III. Children with Tuberculosis in Special Situations
Congenital TB: Newborns of Tuberculous Mothers
Others
I. Classification
Overview
Class II (TB Infection)
Mycobacterium tuberculosis can produce infection and

disease in almost every tissue and organ in the body, but
the disease is usually the result of dissemination from
an initial primary focus. Since infection usually takes
place by way of the lower respiratory tract, the lung
is the first organ involved and it is here that the initial
major manifestations of disease occur.
Distinction must be made between infection and disease.
With primary infection, most patients are asymptomatic.
When disease is present, early manifestations are mild
with nonspecific systemic symptoms of low grade fever,
lassitude, easy fatigability, anorexia, weight loss, malaise
and night sweats which are common to many illnesses in
childhood. With progression and chronicity, symptoms
may be respiratory as well as systemic.
The following classification was adopted by the National

Consensus on Childhood Tuberculosis in 1997 based on
the American Thoracic Society, the Centers for Disease
Control and the 3 major stages of TB: exposure, infection and disease. Knowing the category to which the
child belongs will determine the appropriate evaluation
and treatment 1,2,3.
The criteria for classification of persons exposed to
and/or infected with M. tuberculosis of the American
Thoracic Society (ATS) and Centers for Disease Control
(CDC) is based on the bacteriologic and chemotherapy
status of the patient. Unlike in adults, the diagnosis of
TB in children is difficult and TB infection, which is
latent, is confused with TB disease, which has clinical
and/or radiologic signs. TB in children is diagnosed
based on epidemiological and/or clinical grounds;
cultures are rarely available 2,3.
Class I (TB Exposure)

(+) Exposure to an adult/adolescent with active TB
(-) Signs and symptoms of TB
(-) Mantoux tuberculin test
(-) Chest radiograph
Immediately after a child has had significant exposure to
an adult/adolescent with active TB disease, the clinician
cannot tell whether the child is already infected with
M. tuberculosis. This is because the development of
delayed-type hypersensitivity to tuberculin may take
up to 3 months after the infectious droplet has been
deposited in the lung, and before the clinical signs
and symptoms develop or the chest x-ray becomes
positive.
(+) History of exposure

(+) Mantoux tuberculin test
(-) Signs and symptoms of TB
(-) Chest radiograph
This is the pre-clinical state of TB. The risk of developing TB disease is between 5-15% during the first
10 years after primary infection, with the highest risk
developing in up to 50% of infants within 3-9 months
of infection, 25% in children 1-5 years of age within 1-2
years and 15% in adolescents. This risk to development
of TB disease, which may be severe or progressive, depends on several factors such as age, nutritional status,
bateriological status of the adult source and intensity
of contact 4,5,6,7.
CPM 7th EDITION
Class III (TB Disease)

A child who has active TB has 3 or more of the following criteria:
1. (+) history of exposure to an adult/adolescent
with an active TB disease
2. (+) Mantoux tuberculin test
3. (+) signs and symptoms suggestive of TB: one or
more of the following should be present7,8,9
cough/wheezing > 2 weeks; fever > 2 weeks;
painless cervical and/or other lymphadenopathy
poor weight gain; failure to make a quick return
to normal antibiotic therapy (pneumonia, otitis
media)
4. abnormal chest radiograph suggestive of TB
5. laboratory findings suggestive of TB (histological,
cytological, biochemical, immunological and/or
molecular)
A positive culture with or without a positive smear for
M. tuberculosis is the gold standard for the diagnosis of
TB and must be sought for whenever possible 1.
A child should at least have 3 out of 5 criteria to sa
tisfy a diagnosis of TB disease. (Consensus Statement)
Because of increased susceptibility to the deadly forms
of TB, infants or children less than 2 years of age who
present with fever, cough, pallor, weight loss, with or
without hepatomegaly/splenomegaly should be investigated for miliary TB.
In contrast to early TB, symptoms are very helpful in
the diagnosis of extrapulmonary or progressive TB. In
addition to the more common and general symptoms as
fever, anorexia and/or weight loss, delayed menarche
or suppression of menses in girls, signs or symptoms
referable to other organ systems may be present.
In the presence of any of the following, the PPS Consensus recommends that the patient be referred to a
hospital for evaluation and treatment:
sinus in the neck
large painless lymph nodes in the neck, axilla or
groin
angle deformity of the spine
joint or bone swelling or sinuses
unexplained abdominal mass or ascites
change in temperament, fits or convulsions
Class IV (TB Inactive)

A child/adolescent with or without history of previous TB and any of the following:
(+) previous chemotherapy
(+) radiographic evidence of healed/calcified TB
(+) Mantoux tuberculin test
(-) signs and symptoms suggestive of TB
(-) smear/culture for M. tuberculosis
Disease categories according to the WHO classification

are based on treatment/retreatment status, whether there
is response or non-response to a particular regimen.(See
Appendix I. WHO Disease Classification & the National
TB Control Program)
II. Clinical Forms of Tuberculosis

A. Pulmonary/Endothoracic Tuberculosis
1. Asymptomatic (or Latent) Tuberculosis In-fection (LTBI)
Asymptomatic or latent tuberculosis infection is defined
as infection associated with tuberculin hypersensitivity
and a positive tuberculin test but with no striking clinical
or roentgenographic manifestations. Occasionally, low
grade fever is found, usually by chance.
These children may typically be assessed to belong to
Class II.
2. Primary (Childhood) Tuberculosis
Infection in infants frequently results in disease, with
local progression and dissemination. The younger the
patient, the greater the risk of progressive disease until
the age of 5 years. When disease occurs it is usually
the childhood type of pulmonary tuberculosis. When
confined to the lungs in this age group, spontaneous
healing occurs; a high frequency of relapse may develop
with chronic disease.
The primary complex is composed of the primary
focus, lymphangitis, and regional lymphadenitis. The
hallmark of the initial disease is the relatively large size
of the adenitis compared with the relatively insignificant
size of the initial focus in the lungs.
There are no striking clinical manifestations although
young infant and adolescents are more likely to have significant signs and symptoms than school-aged children.
Non-productive cough, mild dyspnea, cervical lymphadenopathies are the most common clinical symptoms and
signs. Some infants have difficulty gaining weight or
have a failure to thrive pattern.
From hereon, the symptomatic child with disease and
complications from its progression, will belong to Class
III until the disease becomes inactive (class IV) with
time and/or with partial treatment.
3. Pleurisy with Effusion
Tuberculosis pleurisy with effusion is an early complication of primary infections. Pleural effusion may be
localized or generalized, unilateral or bilateral. It is the
localized pleural effusion, which frequently accompanies the primary focus and is considered a component of
the primary complex. Hypersensitivity to tuberculin is
another factor implicated in the pathogenesis of pleural
effusion in tuberculosis.

CPM 7 th EDITION

The onset of pleurisy is usually abrupt resembling bacterial pneumonia, with fever, chest pain, shortness of
breath and on physical examination, dullness to flatness
and diminished breath sounds. Fever may be high and in
untreated cases, last for several weeks. Lateral roentgenographic views are helpful in confirming the presence
of pleural fluid. Obliteration of the costophrenic sinus
may be the earliest radiologic sign of minimal fluid accumulation. Moderate effusion causes layering of fluid
density along the lateral chest wall. Massive effusion
may occupy one hemithorax, which demonstrates a
uniform density and dis-placement of the mediastinum
towards the contralateral side.
4. Progressive Primary Tuberculosis
Latent primary infection and childhood TB with chronicity becomes progressive, resulting in an area of advancing pneumonia, or it may result in acute dissemination
with meningeal or other localizing manifestations.
This is a serious complication in which the primary
pulmonary focus, instead of resolving or calcifying,
enlarges steadily and develops a large caseous center.
More severe fever, cough, malaise and weight loss as
well as classical signs of cavitation often accompany
a progressive primary lesion. Lung findings consist
of crepitant rales and/or diminution of breath sounds
over the area. Lymph node enlargement or lympha
denopathy often accompany the previously mentioned
manifestations.
5. Endobronchial Tuberculosis
Bronchial obstruction can be due to enlargement of
peribronchial lymph nodes. As the nodes enlarge,
they frequently impinge upon the neighboring regional bronchus, thus compressing it and causing
diffuse tuberculous inflammation of its wall even to
the point of obstructing the lumen. Three possible
immediate results of the bronchial obstruction are
the following:
Sudden death by asphyxia
Obstructive hyperaeration of a lobar segment,
a lobe or even an entire lung (emphysema)
Segmental lesions representing mainly atelectasis
and almost always involving the very segment
occupied by the pulmonary focus in endo-bronchial tuberculosis. Infected nodes adhere to an
adjacent bronchus and with extension of the
disease through the airway wall of the mucosa,
obstruction of the lumen results in atelectasis.
This is more likely to be present in the right lung,
particularly in the right middle lobe and to a lesser
extent, the right upper lobe. The right middle lobe
is most vulnerable when there is enlargement of
the hilar lymph nodes.
Signs and symptoms include moderately high fever,

anorexia, night sweats, loss of weight and paroxysmal
cough ending in cyanosis. Crepitant rales and expiratory
wheezes are likewise noted, often mistaken for per-tussis
or bronchial asthma.
Bronchial obstruction may eventually lead to any of the
following: complete re-expansion of the lung with resolution of roentgenographic findings: disappearance
of the segmental lesion with residual calcification
of the primary focus or the regional lymph node; or
scarring and progressive contraction of the lobe or
segment, usually associated with bronchiectasis. The
middle lobe syndrome may occur as a consequence
of se-condary infection in the obstructed bronchiectatic segment.
6. Miliary Tuberculosis
Miliary tuberculosis is a form of generalized hematogenous tuberculosis due to massive invasion of the
blood stream by the tubercle bacilli. It arises from the
discharge of a caseous focus, often from a lymph node,
into the blood vessel (such as a pulmonary vein). It is
most common during the first 3-6 months after infection in infants.
Clinical symptoms may start acutely or insidiously,

with respiratory symptoms. There may be sudden
onset of high fever, dyspnea, cough, and prostration
soon followed by symptoms referable to other organs
invaded; in insidious forms, symptoms of tuberculosis are exacerbated and then followed by dyspnea.
Other clinical features are crepitant rales, splenomegaly,
hepatomegaly and later, signs of meningeal irritation.
Chest roentgenogram show millet seed densities all
over the lung fields.
The pulmonary presentation can explain why miliary
TB is often discussed under pulmonary or endothoracic
tuberculosis.
7. Chronic Pulmonary Tuberculosis
The traditional terms used are chronic pulmonary
tuberculosis (or reinfection or adult tuberculosis).
This is the type of disease seen in a host previously
sensitized by earlier tuberculosis infection. It is characterized by apical or infraclavicular infiltrates often
with cavitation and no hilar lymphadenopathy. This is
more common in adolescents than in younger children
especially when the initial infection has been acquired
near puberty.
Clinical manifestations include chronic or persistent
cough, prolonged fever, chest pain, hemoptysis and
supraclavicular adenitis. Most of these features, though,
improve within several weeks of starting effective treatment, but the cough may persist for several months.
CPM 7th EDITION
8.Tuberculoma
Asymptomatic rounded lesions may develop as a residual of parenchymal disease in the initial infection
or as caseation. Tuberculomas can form with small
caseous or granulomatous tissue surrounded by concentric fibrous tissue sometimes with calcification, often
confused with cancer.
This is an uncommon condition, complicating only
0.4% of untreated tuberculous infections in children.
It is due to direct invasion or lymphatic drainage from
caseous subcarinal nodes, serofibrinous or hemorrhagic
fluid accumulating between the visceral and parietal
surfaces of the pericardium. Sometimes extensive
fibrosis leads to obliteration of the pericardial sac,
with development of constrictive pericarditis some
years later.
The presenting symptoms are usually nonspecific and
include low-grade fever, anorexia, poor weight gain,
but rarely chest pain. On examination, a pericardial
friction rub may be appreciated. When pericardial
effusion is already present, distant heart sounds,
tachycardia, and narrow pulse pressure are noted14,15.
The diagnosis is established by examination of the
pericardial fluid, which is usually sanguineous, with
a predominantly lymphocytic cellular reaction. When
Ziehl-Neelsen stains of pericardial fluid are negative,
pericardial biopsy has been suggested as having
higher yield.
9.Pericardial Tuberculosis
Other endothoracic forms include: myocardial and
pericardial tuberculosis secondary to direct spread from
mediastinal glands by direct invasion or by lymphatic
spread. Pericardial tuberculosis is an uncommon condition complicating only 0.4% of untreated tuberculous
infections in children. It is due to direct invasion or
lymphatic drainage from caseous subcarinal nodes, serofibrinous or hemorrhagic fluid accumulating between
the visceral and parietal surfaces of the pericardium.
Sometimes extensive fibrosis leads to obliteration of
the pericardial sac, with development of constrictive
pericarditis some years later.
The presenting symptoms are usually nonspecific and
include low-grade fever, anorexia, poor weight gain, but
rarely chest pain. On examination, a pericardial friction
rub may be appreciated. When pericardial effusion is
already present, distant heart sounds, tachycardia, and
narrow pulse pressure are noted24,25. The chest roentgenogram often reveal "cardiomegaly". ECG changes
include diminution in the amplitude of the QRS complex
and abnormalities of the S-T segment and T waves.
The diagnosis is established by examination of the
pericardial fluid, which is usually sanguineous, with
a predominantly lymphocytic cel-lular reaction. Peri-
cardial fluid should be inoculated directly into guinea

pigs. When Ziehl-Neelsen stains of pericardial fluid
are negative, pericardial biopsy has been suggested as
having a higher yield.
B. Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis
1.Tuberculosis of the Cervical Lymph Nodes (Scrofula)
This is the most common form of extrapulmonary TB in
children 10 and oftentimes referred to as scrofula.
"Cervical lymphadenitis is not common before the age
of 2 years and is uncommon in infancy. Contrary to
prevailing opinion, enlarged cervical lymph nodes in
Filipino children are more often caused by infections
other than tuberculosis."M Pardo de Tavera (1975)
Through direct extension from a primary pulmonary
infection, the cervical chain of nodes becomes the most
commonly affected. This is often unilateral but bilateral
involvement may occur due to crossover drainage patterns of lymphatic vessels in the chest and lower neck11.
The cervical nodes may also be involved from other
tuberculous foci such as the nasopharynx, middle ear
or tonsils. However, one has to remember that cervical lymph nodes may be normally palpable in young
children, or can also be caused by infections other than
TB such as carious teeth, infected tonsils, acute upper
respiratory tract infections and Hodgkin's disease.
Hence, a diagnosis of tuberculosis should be supported
by a positive tuberculin test and the other criteria for
diagnosis such as excisional biopsy and culture and fine
needle aspiration cytology12 and not just based on the
presence of enlarged lymph nodes.
Signs and symptoms are absent. Involved superficial
lymph nodes are painless,10 firm,13 discrete and movable,
becoming adherent to each other and anchored to the
surrounding tissues and skin as they enlarge. Occasionally, the clinical picture may simulate acute respiratory
infections with rapid enlargement of nodes, pain and
fever. If left untreated, it may either resolve or may
progress to caseation and necrosis of the lymph node,
which can rupture and result in a draining sinus tract.
The latter behaves indolently and produces a disfiguring
scar (scrofuloderma).
Primary tuberculosis of the tonsils begins as a painless
swelling of one tonsil, sometimes with an ulcer or yellowish node with associated enlargement of the regional
lymph node.
2.Tuberculosis of the Central Nervous System
Tuberculosis meningitis is the most common type of
tuberculosis of the nervous system. The disease complicates 0.3% of untreated TB infections, which may
develop three to six months after initial infection. Below
the age of three years, it is the most common cause of

CPM 7 th EDITION

mortality from TB. It is frequently seen in the first six

years of life, though rare in the first four months. It
may accompany miliary tuberculosis in approximately
50% of cases 9.
Meningitis is always secondary to a tuberculous process
elsewhere in the body, the primary lesion being in the
lungs or in peribronchial and mediastinal lymph nodes
in 95% of cases. However, in many cases by the time
the meningitis develops, the original focus in the lungs
may no longer be demonstrable.
From the primary site, the tubercle bacilli reach the

central nervous system via the bloodstream during its
lymphohematogenous spread. In the brain, they may
lie dormant in the choroid plexus or in the subcortical area until a later injury to the head. It may also be
dislodged into the subarachnoid space and infect the
meninges. However, in most cases during the lym-phohematogenous spread, the bacilli are discharged into the
subarachnoid space where they invoke encephalitis. A
gelatinous exudate forms around the brain stem resulting
in the involvement of the cranial nerves III, VI, VII and
the optic chiasm as well as the obstruction of the basal
cisterns which leads to hydrocephalus. Arteritis leads
to thrombosis and consequent infarction.
Onset of tuberculous meningitis is usually gradual occurring over a period of about 3 weeks8. The clinical
course is divided into 3 stages namely: an early stage
of irritability, the pressure or convulsive stage and the
paralytic or terminal stage, respectively. Patients in the
first stage may present with apathy, vomiting, irritability
and headache. After 1-2 weeks, the second stage begins
abruptly with meningeal signs such as lethargy, neck
stiffness, seizures and cranial nerve pal-sies. The third
stage is characterized by posturing, profound neurologic and sensorial changes with deterioration of vital
signs, and eventually death. Several studies reveal that
the main clinical symptoms and signs present in such
patients are altered sensorium and focal neurological
signs 14,15.
Chest radiographs may be normal but oftentimes reveal
changes typical of primary TB or a miliary pattern. The
tuberculin skin test is of limited diagnostic value. It is
very useful if positive; if negative, it does not rule out
tuberculous meningitis.8
Diagnosis usually rests on clinical grounds and a CSF
examination. Performing a lumbar puncture is the
most important laboratory test. The spinal fluid is usually clear but with an increased opening pressure. It
contains 50-500 WBC/mm3, with polymorphonuclears
predominant in the early phase and lymphocytes later
in the disease process 8. CSF sugar is low and protein
markedly elevated at which time the fluid develops
pellicle on standing. The demonstration of acid-fast
bacilli (AFB) on the CSF should be diagnostic for the
disease; however, only in a small minority of patients

can it be found.
Computed tomography14 or MRI of the brain has its

place in the evaluation of patients with TB meningitis
especially those with hydrocephalus who may need
shunting procedures. Initially, results may be normal
during the early stages of the disease but with progression, commonly reveal basilar enhancement and communicating hydrocephalus with signs of cerebral edema
or early focal ischemia. A variety of new tech-niques
such as PCR, ELISA, and latex agglutination have been
used to search for mycobacterial antigens in the spinal
fluid. Some of these have been proven successful in a
small sample of patients.
Tuberculoma/TB Abscess. Other forms of tuberculosis
of the central nervous system include tuberculoma and
tuberculous abscess, both behaving as intracranial
space occupying lesions, although the former is more
common than the latter. Tuberculomas occur most often
in children younger than 10 years and are located at the
base of the brain around the cerebellum. Manifestations
include headache, convulsions, fever and signs and
symptoms referrable to a tumor16 or brain abscess. The
spinal fluid findings in well-encapsulated tuberculoma
may be within normal limits and this may be diagnostic
dilemma to the clinician. Recognition of such forms
requires careful evaluation including inquiry about
exposure to tuberculosis, a tuberculin skin test and
chest roent-genography. Consequently, appropriate
chemotherapy can be initiated before neurosurgical
intervention is done.
3.Skeletal Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis of the bones and joints occurs in 1-6%
of children whose primary infection remains untreated,
occurring one to three years after the initial infection.
This usually results from lymphohematogenous seeding of the bacilli during the primary infection or may
develop as a direct extension from a caseous regional
lymph node or by extension from a neighboring infected
bone11. Young children are more vulnerable to suffer
from this form than older ones because of increased
blood flow in growing bones. The lesion usually starts
as an area of endarteritis in the metaphysis of the long
bone, whose blood supply is more abundant.
Most commonly affected are the weight bearing bones
and joints specifically the vertebrae causing TB of the
spine17,18 or Pott's disease. There is a predilection for
the lower thoracic, upper lumbar and lumbosacral vertebrae. Frequently, a history of trauma may be elicited
as a contributory factor, either activating a quiescent
lesion or just simply drawing attention to the process.
Multiple vertebral involvement is more common than
affection of a single vertebral body.
Serious complications such as paravertebral abscess
CPM 7th EDITION
(Pott's abscess), retropharyngeal abscess, psoas abscess, and neurologic lesions are seen in 10-30% of
the TB of the spine. Neurologic involvement such
as paraplegia or even paresis range from 25-39% in
foreign literature and 17-44% in the Philippines. These
result from inflammation of the spinal cord secondary
to an adjacent cold abscess, granuloma in the extradural
space, or by spinal vessel thrombosis.
Signs and symptoms include "night cries" and restless
sleep, daily low-grade fever and peculiar position (such
as torticollis with cervical lesions) or gait. Physical
examination findings include marked "guarding" because of dorsal muscle spasm, gibbus, or reflex changes
including clonus. Occasionally, the presence of referred
chest pain leads to the discovery of paravertebral abscess on the chest roentgenogram.
Next to the spine, the hip, knee and ankle, being
weight-bearing joints, appear to be susceptible to the
implantation and proliferation of the tubercle bacilli.
Since joints are directly affected by motion, pain is a
prominent symptom and usually localized rather than
referred, except in TB of the hip where the pain may be
referred to the knee, due to intra-articular tension and to
destructive processes. Hence, stiffness, and limitation
of motion, as evidenced by a limp on walking or refusal
to walk, are early manifestations.
Tuberculous arthritis is rare in children8. Joints of
the upper extremities are the only ones affected with
monoarticular involvement.
4.Gastrointestinal Tuberculosis
Tuberculous enteritis may occur after ingestion of
tubercle bacilli or as part of generalized lympho-hematogenous spread. Primary TB of the intestinal tract
is uncommon in the Philippines because Filipinos are
not fresh milk drinkers and because of widespread milk
pasteurization. Occasionally, tuberculous enteritis,
although rare, accompanies extensive pulmonary cavitation. Involvement of the intestinal tract commonly
the ileocecal area19 with extension to the mesenteric
lymph nodes and peritoneum results from ingestion of
bronchial secretions containing tubercle bacilli from
a caseous pulmonary focus. The bacilli are taken up
by the lymphoid tissues, giving rise to local ulcers
followed by mesenteric lymphadenitis and sometimes
peritonitis.
Symptoms and signs include vague abdominal pain,
intussusception, blood in the stool and sinus formation after an uncomplicated appendectomy. Enlarged
caseous and calcified mesenteric lymph glands (tabes
mesenterica) are often accidentally discovered on
roentgenogram of the abdomen as "shadows of increased density." Inciting local inflammatory reaction,
they become matted and result in adhesions interfering
with intestinal motility producing intestinal obstruc-
tion or compression of the portal vein giving rise to

ascites and dilatation of the superficial abdominal
veins.
Tuberculous peritonitis is commonly due to rupture
of a caseous abdominal lymph node and less frequently
from a focus in the intestine or fallopian tube. Clinically, it is classified into "plastic" and "serous" types,
the former being less common and characterized by
tender abdominal masses and a doughy abdomen; the
latter by ascites and signs of peritonitis. Symptoms of
fever, abdominal pain, weight loss, anorexia and clinical
evidence of ascites are common20,21.
Hepatobiliary tuberculosis. A subset of patients with
extrapulmonary tuberculosis have the infection confined solely and predominantly in the liver or biliary
tract. Majority of patients present with non-specific
symptoms such as fever, malaise, fatigue, night sweats,
anorexia and weight loss22. Those who have prominent
hepatic complaints may manifest with jaundice, abdominal pain, hepatosplenomegaly and ascites. This form of
infection is referred to as primary miliary tuberculosis
of the liver. A report by Alvarez and Carpio23 described
the clinical and histologic features of 130 patients
aged 11-30 years with a 2:1 male preponderance. The
patients had localized hepatobiliary tuberculosis, and
were seen over a 20-year period at the Santo Tomas
University Hospital in Manila. In 82% of cases, the
diagnosis was clinically suspected prior to histologic
confirmation. The two major forms of presentation
included: a) hard nodular liver, fever and weight loss
simulating cancer in 55% of patients, and b) chronic
recurrent jaundice, mimicking extrahepatic obstruction
in 35%. Symptoms were generally present for 1 to 2
years prior to diagnosis.
Tuberculosis of the pancreas. This is a rare condition
and occurs secondarily to generalized tuberculosis
and occasionally in far advanced cases. Gonzales
reported in 1989 the case of a 13-year old male from
Pampanga presenting with abdominal enlargement,
ascites, hepatomegaly and uncontrolled diabetes mellitus unresponsive to regular insulin. Malignancy of
the head of the pancreas was entertained. Exploratory
laparotomy revealed the whole pancreas to be multi
nodular and firm; the liver was not enlarged but with
two hard nodules and the gallbladder was distended
with dilated common bile duct. Review of the history
and subsequent chest roentgenogram of the mother
revealed far advanced tuberculosis. He was treated
with triple anti-TB drugs with good clinical response
and complete resolution of polyphagia, polydipsia,
and polyuria.
Although involvement of the liver, spleen, bowel and
mesenteric lymph nodes is common in miliary tuberculosis, pancreatic involvement was seen in only 4.7% of
297 autopsy cases of miliary tuberculosis.

CPM 7 th EDITION

5.Cutaneous Tuberculosis
Manifestations in children are based on classification

designed earlier for adults: lesions by inoculation from
an exogenous source; lesions due to hematogenous dissemination; lesions arising from an endogenous source;
and eythema nodosum.
The skin lesions associated with the primary complex
may be caused by direct inoculation of tubercle bacilli
into a traumatized area. The wound is slow to heal,
painless with regional lymphadenitis.
Scrofuloderma indicates tuberculosis of the skin
overlying a caseous lymph node that has ruptured to
the outside, leaving an ulcer or a sinus. Frequently, the
lesions are in the cervical area but may also involve the
inguinal, submandibular and axillary groups.26 Cutaneous lesions resulting from hematogenous spread may
be papulonecrotic tuberculids or tuberculosis verrucosa
cutis. Papulonecrotic tuberculids are miliary tubercles
in the skin resembling the small lesions of chicken
pox although more indurated, while tu-berculosis
verrucosa cutis are wart-like lesions appearing on the
arms or legs.
Erythema nodosum is a common manifestation of
hypersensitivity to tuberculin. It occurs mostly in
teenage girls and is characterized by large, deep, pain
ful indurated nodules on the skin, thighs, elbows and
forearms. The nodules change from light pink to a
bruise-like color. Erythema nodosum manifests during febrile episodes and systemic toxicity is seen after
initial infection. This cutaneous lesion is seen not only
in tuberculosis but also in other infectious conditions
such as streptococcal, meningococcal, fungal as well
as drug reactions.
6.Ocular Tuberculosis
Ocular tuberculosis is uncommon in children8. When
it does occur, it frequently involves the conjunctiva
and the cornea in the form of conjunctivitis and phlyctenular keratoconjunctivitis. The conjunctiva
can serve as the portal entry for the bacilli, especially after trauma. A local reaction is induced in the
form of unilateral lacrimation and reddening, with
subsequent formation of yellowish-gray nodules on
the palpebral conjunctiva. Enlargement of the preauricular, submandibular, and cervical lymph nodes
are com-monly noted. In patients with pulmonary and
systemic tuberculosis, choroiditis is the most common ocular manifestation.27,28 A tuberculin test and
biopsy with culture can be performed to confirm the
diagnosis. The specificity of the PPD skin test for Mycobacterium tuberculosis increases with larger skin
reactions and with a history of exposure to an active
case of tuberculosis.28 Phlyctenular keratoconjuctivitis
is considered a hypersensitivity reaction to tuberculin
with the formation of small, grayish, jelly-like nodules
usually clustered on the limbus and surrounded by

dilated conjunctival vessels. Pain and photophobia are
observed and the lesions may recur for weeks, affecting one or both eyes. Tuberculous involvement of the
ciliary body, iris, uvea and TB presenting as orbital
mass are rare clinical entities.
7. Genitourinary Tuberculosis
Renal tuberculosis is an uncommon complication of

primary tuberculosis occurring very late, up to 15-20
years after primary infection7. However, TB bacilli can
be recovered from the urine of patient with miliary tuberculosis and in some cases with pulmonary tuberculosis.
Hematogenous spread can give rise to tubercles in the
glomeruli, with resultant caseating sloughing lesions
which discharge TB bacilli into the tubules. Infection
can be unilateral or bilateral and can spread caudad
to involve the bladder. The disease can be insidious
in onset and has strikingly few specific symptoms.
In 75% of patients, however, they would present with
symptoms related to urinary tract inflammation such
as dysuria, hematuria, sterile pyuria and flank pain.31
It should be suspected in the presence of destructive
pulmonary tuberculosis with persistent, painless,
sterile pyuria with associated albuminuria and hematuria. Repeated cultures of the urine are advisable
for those with persistent pyuria, a complete urologic
investigation is mandatory. Children whose urine
reveal presence of tubercle bacilli are considered to
be highly infectious and should be isolated until their
urine is sterile.
Genital tuberculosis is uncommon in both sexes before
puberty. It may either arise as a metastatic lesion during
lymphohematogenous spread or by direct extension
from an adjacent lesion of bone, gut or the urinary tract.
Frequently, other forms of TB accounts with initial
infection, such as pleural effusion also are present8. In
females, the fallopian tubes are most frequently involved
(90-100% of cases), followed by the endometrium
(50%), ovaries (20-30%) and cervix (2-4%). Signs and
symptoms include lower abdominal pain, amenorrhea,
a lower abdominal mass and free peritoneal fluid. TB of
the external genitalia has been seen as a ma-nifestation
of child abuse8.
Males may develop primary tuberculosis of the penis
after ritual circumcision manifesting as massive inguinal
lymphadenopathy. Epididymitis or epididymo-orchitis
can likewise occur characterized by a gradual onset of
nodular painless swelling of the scrotum with a dragging
pain in the groin.
8.Tuberculosis of the Middle Ear
Tuberculosis of the middle ear is a relatively rare manifestation of the disease in the West8 but not in developing countries where it is considered in the differential
CPM 7th EDITION
diagnosis of chronic otitis media in TB patients, or in

those who have no evidence of TB elsewhere and whose
otitis do not improve with the conventional medical
treatment. It may occur either as a primary focus in the
area of the Eustachian tube or as a metastatic lesion
from a primary focus elsewhere. The primary focus
is always unilateral and involves the pre-auricular
lymph nodes or the anterior cervical chain. Patients
typically have a chronic tympanic membrane perforation and ear drainage associated with progressive
and profound hearing loss. Presence of a facial nerve
paralysis is highly suggestive of the disease. Essential
to its diagnosis is doing a tuberculin skin test, operative biopsy, smears and cultures of otic secretions for
mycobacteria.
III. Children with Tuberculosis in Special Situations

Congenital Tuberculosis; Newborns of Tuberculous
Mothers
The reliance on chest radiographs for diagnosis of
pulmonary tuberculosis in pregnant women has
limited identification and therefore treatment of active cases. Congenital TB is rare or probably often
remains unrecognized. It is associated with TB of
the placenta or acquired in utero (prenatal transmission), during labor or delivery (perinatal transmission). Hema-togenous or transplacental route occurs
through the umbilical vein (liver primary complex);
fetal aspi-ration or ingestion of amniotic fluid (lung or
gas-trointestinal primary complex); and contact with
infected secretions during delivery in the presence of
maternal genital TB.
In a review of 29 cases31 half of the mothers were
asymptomatic. All 14 examined had genital TB. In
another series of 59 cases32, the infants presented with
respiratory distress (76%), hepatomegaly/splenomegaly
(65%), fever (57%). Other signs and symptoms, such as
poor feeding, lymphadenopathy and lethargy/irritability
occur in about a third of cases; abdominal distention and
failure to thrive noted in less.
Other than TB in pregnancy and lactation, special
situations seen in children that can present problems
in recognition and management include: TB in the
immunocompromised, in patients with liver disease,
patients with drug-induced hepatitis, renal impairment
or renal failure and in the presence of (multi)drug
resistance.
Reference:
1. American Thoracic Society, Diagnostic Standards and
Classifications of Tuberculosis. Am Rev Respir Dis 1990;
142: 725-735.
2. Starke J., Correa, AG. Management of Mycobacterial
Infection and Disease in Children. Ped Inf Dis J 1995; 14:
45-70.
3. Anane T and Grangaud J. Diagnosis of TB in Children.
In Chaulet P, ed. Children in the Tropics. Childhood
Tuberculosis Still With Us. Paris 1992 pp. 21-29.
4. McSherry G and Connor E. Current Epidemiology of
Tuberculosis in Children, Sem Ped Inf Dis. Oct 1993;
22(10): 600-604.
5. Jereb J, et al. The Epidemiology of Tuberculosis in
Children. Sem Ped Inf Dis. Oct 1993; 4(4): 220-231.
6. Waagner DC. Clinical Presentation of Tuberculous
Disease in Children. Ped Annals Oct 1993; 22(10): 622628.
7. National Consensus on Childhood Tuberculosis. 1997.
8. Feigin, Ralph and James Cherry eds. Textbook of
Pediatric Infectious Diseases. W.B. Saunders Company.
1998.
9. Tuberculosis in Infancy & Childhood Task Force on
Tuberculosis. Philippine Pediatric Society. 1993.
10. Jawahar MS. Scrofula revisited: an update on the
diagnosis and management of tuberculosis of superficial
lymph nodes. Indian J Pediatr 2000 Feb; 67 (2 Suppl):
S28-33.
11. Starke JR. The tuberculin skin test. Ped Annal. Oct, 1993.
62(10): 612-620.
12. J h a BC , D a s s A , e t a l. C e r v ic a l t u b e r c u lou s
lymphadenopathy: changing clinical pattern and concepts
in management. Postgrad Med J 2001 Mar, 77(405): 185187.
13. Seth V, Kabra SK, et al. Tubercular lymphadenitis: clinical
manifestations. Indian J Pediatr 1995 Sept-Oct; 62(5): 565570.
14. Farinha NJ, Razali KA, et al. Tuberculosis of the central
nervous system in children: a 20-year survey. J Infect 2000
Jul; 4(1): 61-68.
15. Lee LV. Neurotuberculosis among Filipino children: an
11 years experience at the Philippine Children's Medical
Center. Brain Dev 2000 Dec; 22(8) 469-474.
16. Bagga A, Kaira V and Ghai OP. Intracranial tuberculoma
evaluation and treatment. Clin. Pediatr. 27; 487-490,
1988.
17. Gomez V, Espina RJ. Pott's disease with neurologic
involvement in children: results of treatment after
conservative management or surgery. Phil J Ortho Vol
13(1). Dec, 1994, 42-44.
18. Catbagan A. Non-operative treatment of Pott's disease
with neurologic involvement. Phil J Ortho 1986, 1822.
19. Marshall JB. Tuberculosis of the gastrointestinal tract
and peritoneum. Am J Gastroenterol 1993 Jul; 88(7):
989-999.
20. Bhargava DK, Shriniwas, et al. Peritoneal tuberculosis:
laparoscopic patterns and its diagnostic accuracy. Amer J
of Gastroent. 1992 87(1): 109-112.
21. Gurkan F, Ozates M, et al. Tuberculous peritonitis in 11
children: clinical features and diagnostic approach. Pediatr
Int 1999 Oct; 41(5): 510-513.
22. Rom, William and Stuart Garay. Tuberculosis. Little, Brown
and Co. 1996.
23. Alvarez SZ & Carpio R. Digestive Disease Science March
1983 28(3) 193-200.
24. Hugo-Hamman CT, Scher H, et al. Tuberculous pericarditis
in children: a review of 44 cases. Pediatr Infect Dis J 1994
Jan; 13(1) 13-18.
25. Weber S. Tuberculosis and pericarditis in children. Trop
Doct 1999 Jul; 29(3): 135-138.
26. Ramesh V, Misra RS, et al. A study of cutaneous
tuberculosis in children. Pediatr Dermatol 1999 Jul-Aug
16(4): 264-269.
27. Bodaghi B, LeHoang P. Ocular tuberculosis. Curr Opin

CPM 7 th EDITION

Ophthalmor 2000 Dec: 11(6) 443-448.

28. Helm CJ, Holland GN. Ocular tuberculosis. Surv
Ophthalmol 1993 Nov-Dev; 38(3): 229-256.
29. Elshihabi I, Brzowski A, et al. Renal tuberculosis in a child
with hematuria. Pediatr Infect Dis J 1993 Nov; 12(11) 963964.
30. Kirsch CM, Wehner JH, et al. Tuberculous otitis media.
South Med J 1995 Mar; 88(3): 363-366.
31 .
Cantwell MF, et.al. Congenital Tuberculosis. New
Engl J Med 1994; 330(15): 1051-1054
32. Abogbali, et al. Pediatr Infect Dis J 1994; 13: 738-741.
CPM 7th EDITION
Radiologic Findings in Tuberculosis

Primary Tuberculosis
A. Parenchymal Involvement
B. Lymph Node Involvement
C. Airway Involvement
D. Pleural Involvement
E. Resolution of X-ray Changes
Postprimary Tuberculosis
A. Pulmonary Tuberculosis
1. Local Exudative Tuberculosis
2. Local Fibroproductive Tuberculosis
3. Cavitation
4. Acute Tuberculous Pneumonia
6. Tuberculous Bronchiectasis
7. Tuberculous Bronchostenosis
8. Tuberculoma
B.

Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis
1. Musculoskeletal Tuberculosis
2. Central Nervous System
3. Abdominal Tuberculosis
4. Renal Tuberculosis
Overview
Chest radiography still has its value in the diagnosis
of TB. It is helpful in localizing the site of TB lesions.
Although not specific for the diagnosis of pulmonary
TB, it becomes important in the diagnosis of pulmonary
TB in places where prevalence of TB is high and where
facilities for bacteriologic examination are not easily
available1.
Radiographic evidences seen in x-ray studies parallel the pathologic changes of tuberculous infection.
These are divided into 1) initial exposure or primary
tuberculosis and 2) postprimary or primary progressive tuberculosis. Reactivation of previous infection
or progression of an initial infection exemplifies the
latter. In radiologic studies, lateral projections are
important for complete and accurate identification
and interpretation of the primary complex. Partially
calcified mediastinal nodes may be visible only in
lateral projections.
The most common cause of calcification in children
is tuberculosis. However, other diseases such as histoplasmosis, coccidioidomycosis and aspergillosis may
also produce intrathoracic calcifications that cannot
be differentiated by radiograph from those due to tuberculosis. Calcifications can also be demonstrated in
the nodes regional to inoculations with BCG vaccine.
These, however, tend to disappear more quickly than
those associated with natural infections.
There are no pathognomonic radiographic findings.
Perhaps the only finding that may be highly suggestive of tuberculosis in infants and children is the
uniform stippling of both lungs found in miliary
tuberculosis.
Special imaging techniques such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging may be of
particular value in defining nodules, cavities cysts,
calcifications, contours of large bronchi and vascular
details in lung parenchyma 3. Bronchography may
be useful in the definition of bronchial stenosis or
bronchiectasis.
"A clear chest x-ray does not rule out the existence of
a small focus of progressive tuberculosis; nor are there
pathognomonic roentgen features in a fresh primary
tuberculous complex. Moreover, not all shadows are
tuberculous infiltrates."M Pardo de Tavera (1975)
I. Primary Tuberculosis
In the same way that clinical manifestations of the
initial tuberculous infection are meager or absent,
there are usually no abnormal radiologic signs in the
thorax and the sole evidence of infection is a positive
tuberculin test. The initial radiographic picture, whether
in a child or adult, is usually parenchymal infiltration
accom-panied by ipsilateral lymph node enlargement.
Lymph node changes tend to persist longer than the
paren-chymal shadows.3
In primary tuberculous infection, the radiologic patterns
reflect the development of the pathologic complex seen
with initial exposure to the tubercle bacilli. The infection, being primarily spread by inhaled droplet, is seen
mostly in the lung. In its complete form, the primary
complex is composed of the following; however not all
features are necessary to make the diagnosis.2
size and shape in the radiolucent lung,
enlarged regional nodes,
lymphangitis that produces linear shadows of
increased density connecting the pulmonary focus
and the regional nodes, and
a localized pleural effusion that appears as a
shadow of increased density in the pleural space
contiguous to the primary focus
As a rule, pleural exudates and the lymphangitis are not
clearly seen. Common radiologic findings are enlarged
retrocardiac lymphadenopathy in 70% of cases, hilar
adenopathy with pulmonary infiltrates in 20% and
pleural effusion4. Chest radiographs may be normal
in up to 10% of patients who have proven primary
tuberculosis5.
Hilar adenopathy has a specifity of 36%. Because of
its low specificity, this radiologic finding should not

CPM 7 th EDITION

be used as a sole basis initiating treatment, without

other manifestations suggesting tuberculosis 4. The
lymphatic drainage of the lungs occurs predominantly
from left to right, and therefore, the nodes in the right
upper paratracheal area appear to be the ones most
often affected.
Many primary lesions are subpleural and the lymphatic

drainage of the apical pleura is in the cervical nodes.
The primary foci can look like any pneumonia and
can be situated anywhere. All areas of the lung may
be involved.
The principal components of the primary complex and
their fate are discussed further below.
A. Parenchymal Involvement
The parenchymal reaction typically is that of acinar
consolidation which is usually homogenous in density
with ill-defined margins, except where it abuts against
a fissure. It predominantly involves the upper lobes
with preferential location between anterior or posterior
segments and between right and left. Quite frequently,
it also involves the apex of a lower lobe.
Atelectasis is important in the production of massive
shadows. It frequently affects the anterior segments
of the upper and middle lobes of the right lung due to
bronchial compression by enlarged lymph nodes. There
is surprisingly little shift in the heart and other mediastinal structures; instead, the healthy lung on the same
side expands and fills in the space previously occupied
by the collapsed segment. Lobar involvement is most
probably a combination of parenchymal consolidation
and parenchymal atelectasis. An entire lobe, often the
right middle lobe, may be affected.
Large primary foci and their perifocal reactions
may occupy all or most of a lobe and obscure the
lymphangitis and pleural exudate. Perifocal shadows
may represent pneumonic consolidation, atelectasis
or pleural exudate, singly or in combination. With
the gradual clearing of the perifocal shadows, the
pulmonary lesions obscured earlier by them become
visible, or may never be seen. In other cases, large
calcifying pulmonary foci may dwarf the remainder
of the tuberculous complex. Cavitation of the primary
focus with a perifocal exudate may occasionally be seen
but is considered a rare manifestation of pulmonary
tuberculosis in infants and children.
B. Lymph Node Involvement
Hilar or paratracheal lymph node enlargement is the radiologic finding that clearly differentiates primary from
postprimary tuberculosis. It is usually unilateral. Highly
suggestive is the large size of the adenitis relative to the
insignificant size of the primary lung focus.
C. Airway Involvement
Tracheobronchial involvement is a common occurrence

and in the majority is usually the result of compression
of bronchi by enlarged lymph nodes. Bronchial obstruction due to tuberculous lymph nodes may present
radiographically as 6:
Hyperaeration - It may occur in a lobar segment, a lobe
or even an entire lung. Roentgenograms, best taken on
expiration show hyperaeration which usually without
mediastinal displacement, probably because of fixation
of the tuberculous mediastinal nodes.
Segmental atelectasis - Described as fan-shaped homogenous density, which most commonly occurs at
the middle lobe.
Collapse-consolidation lesions - A roentgenographic
finding in which there is only conspicuous atelectasis
and consolidation as the salient pathologic process.
The volume of the segment is undiminished or seems
increased.
D. Pleural Involvement
Pleurisy is so common in primary tuberculosis that it
should be considered a component of the complex rather
than a complication. It may appear as a localized pleural
effusion contiguous to the primary foci, become evident
many months after the appearance of tuberculosis in the
lung, or manifest as a localized, pleural thickening late
in the disease. The pleural effusion may also be generalized, unilateral or bilateral as seen more commonly
in progressive type of pulmonary tuber-culosis. It may
obscure the underlying pulmonary changes, especially
when it is large.
E. Resolution of Radiologic Changes
Due to the great variation in the velocity of healing in
the different components of each complex, healing may
present a wide variety of findings in different cases.
Resorption may begin in the different stages of healing:
during fibrosis, hyalinization or calcification in different
parts of the complex.
In the small proportion of children with radiologic evidence of the disease, clearing usually occurs within 6
months to 2 years after institution of therapy7. Complete
resolution without apparent residual is seen in the majority of cases. In some cases, atelectasis remains owing
to residual lymph node enlargement. A significant percentage of children who have had atelectasis during the
active stage of the disease have residual bronchiectasis
in the affected areas.
II. Postprimary Tuberculosis

A. Pulmonary Tuberculosis
In chronic pulmonary tuberculosis, the disease tends
CPM 7th EDITION
to localize in the apical and posterior segments of the

upper lobes and involves the right lung more than the
left. Lymph node enlargement is not a feature. The
radiologic pattern may be highly suggestive, but it is
not diagnostic and is simulated by several factors of
mycotic, bacterial, viral and parasitic etiology. The
following are radiologic features seen in pulmonary
tuberculosis:
1. Local Exudative Tuberculosis
The x-ray pattern is of acinar consolidation, patchy or
confluent in nature, especially in the apical and posterior
segments of an upper lobe or the superior segment of a
lower lobe. Cavitation may be present.
2. Local Fibroproductive Tuberculosis
The relatively poor definition of the exudative lesion is
replaced by a more sharply circumscribed homogenous
shadow, usually somewhat irregular and angular in
contour. Cavitation may be seen. Healing occurs by
fibrosis and the resultant cicatrisation may result in
loss of volume. If there is significant volume loss,
compensatory signs may become evident such as
elevation of the ipsilateral hilum, overinflation of the
rest of the affected lung, and in some cases, in bullae
formation. This pattern is seen more commonly in
chronic pulmonary TB.
3. Cavitation
The wall of an untreated tuberculous cavity is moderately thick, and its inner surface is fairly smooth. An
air-fluid level is seldom seen. With adequate therapy, a
cavity may disappear or regress into a paper-thin, airfilled cystic space. Cavitation is seen both in prog-ressive and chronic types of pulmonary tuberculosis.
Caseous material in a tuberculous focus may simulate
cavitation because of its high lipid content that produces
a shadow that is slightly less dense than that of the wall.
An aid to differentiation is the contrast between the inner
wall and the central radiolucency. Air in apposition to
a wall tends to show a sharper definition than when the
interface is liquid against solid.
4. Acute Tuberculous Pneumonia
Characteristically, bronchogenic spread leads to the
formation of multiple small acinar shadows. Extension of the disease may be indistinguishable from that
caused by other bacteria. An open cavity or discrete
acinar shadows in parts of the lung remote from the
massive consolidation suggest that the cause is tuberculous in origin.
these lesions are too small to be visualized. The pattern

may not become apparent until several weeks after the
patient is seen. The lesions require at least 2 weeks
to become perceptible and first appear as difficult to
distinguish nodule of a uniform 2mm size7.
As the foci become larger and older, multiple small
shadows appear which stipple both lungs more or less
uniformly ("millet-seed" densities). This stippling of
the lungs is the most diagnostic radiologic change in
pulmonary tuberculosis during infancy and childhood.
Later, these enlarge and coalesce, producing a richly
stippled pattern ("snowstorm effect").
With adequate treatment, clearing is quite rapid and
without residua. Considerable improvement may be
observed within 5 weeks after initiating treatment,
while clearing is complete in 7-22 months with a mean
of 16 weeks.
This miliary pattern may also be seen in sarcoidosis,
pneumoconiosis, disseminated carcinomatosis, fungal
and viral infection. Miliary calcification is extremely
rare in miliary tuberculosis. Other causes are to be
considered such as histoplasmosis, coccidioidomycosis,
schistosomiasis and paragonimiasis.
6.Tuberculous Bronchiectasis
In endobronchial TB, the bronchi are affected in several
different ways: a) exogenous lymph node compression;
b) intrinsic granuloma formation c) bronchiectasis
Bronchographic evidence of distortion and dilatation of
the bronchial tree (bronchiectasis) may develop when
the bronchial wall is infected. Healing by fibrosis and
cicatrization leads to irreversible dilatation. Obstruction
of a segmental bronchus from compression by enlarged
lymph nodes or by bronchostenosis can lead to des-tructive pneumonitis and subsequent bronchiectasis.
Bronchiectasis is twice more frequent in patients with
hemoptysis. This may be asymptomatic and suggested
only by non-resolving radiographic shadows despite
adequate treatment. A definitive diagnosis of bronchiectasis is made with bronchography, CT scan and
bronchoscopy.
7. Tuberculous Bronchostenosis
Tuberculous bronchitis may occur in the absence of
a demonstrable x-ray abnormality. If left untreated
cicatricial bronchostenosis is almost inevitable with
its resultant obstructive atelectasis, pneumonitis and
bronchiectasis. Persistent respiratory wheeze may suggest the diagnosis.
8. Tuberculoma
In the event of an explosive massive spread into the

bloodstream, both lungs are evenly seeded with innumerable foci of approximately the same size. At first
Tuberculomas are round or oval lesions situated most

commonly in an upper lobe, the right more than the left
ranging from 0.5 to 4 cm or more in diameter. Typically,

CPM 7 th EDITION

they are smooth and sharply circumscribed while up to

a fourth may be smooth and lobulated. Small discrete
shadows in the immediate vicinity of the main lesion
(satellite lesions) may be identified. There may be irregular thickening of the wall of the draining bronchus
and in some, actual bronchostenosis.
The majority of these lesions remain unstable and may
calcify7. The larger the lesion, the more active it is.
B. Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis
Diagnosis of extrapulmonary TB is often difficult.

Although a positive chest radiographic findings or a
positive tuberculin skin test supports the diagnosis,
negative results do not exclude extrapulmonary tuber-culosis 8.
1. Musculoskeletal Tuberculosis
Spinal TB (Pott's Disease)
The disease process most often begins in the anterior part
of the vertebral body adjacent to the end plate. Collapse
of a vertebral body, particularly the anterior segment,
may result in tuberculous kyphosis. Paraspinal infection may involve the psoas muscle, resulting in psoas
abscess, which can extend into the groin and thigh.
Calcification within the abscess is virtually pathognomonic of tuberculosis10,11.
Many disease processes including metastatic disease
and low grade pyogenic infections such as brucellosis,
fungal infections and sarcoidosis have imaging findings
similar to those of spinal tuberculosis. However, the
diagnosis of tuberculosis is favored if a large calcified,
paravertebral mass and absence of sclerosis or new
bone formation are noted. Conversely, intervertebral
disk destruction is more characteristic of a pyogenic
infection11.
TB Arthritis
TB of the joints is characteristically a monoarticular
disease. The triad of juxtaarticular osteoporosis, peripherally located osseous erosions, and gradual narrowing
of the interosseous space is termed the PHEMISTER
triad and is characteristic of TB arthritis. Relative
preservation of the joint space is highly suggestive of
tuberculous arthritis; early loss of articular space is more
typical of rheumatoid arthritis.
2. Central Nervous System Tuberculosis
CNS tuberculosis may take a variety of forms, including meningitis, tuberculoma, abscess, cerebritis and
miliary TB.
TB Meningitis
Abnormal meningeal enhancement that is typically most
pronounced in the basal cisterns may be well seen with
both CT and MR imaging. This enhancement of the
basal cisterns corresponds to the gelatinous exudate.

Communicating hydrocephalus is the most common
complication of TB meningitis. Also, ischemic infarcts
are commonly seen as a complication of cranial tuberculous meningitis. The majority of the infarct is seen in the
basal ganglia and internal capsule and internal capsule
and result from vascular compression and occlusion of
small perforating vessels 8.
Tuberculoma
Parenchymal disease can occur with or without meningitis and usually manifests as tuberculomas. These
may be solitary but are more commonly multiple. The
frontal and parietal lobes are the most commonly affected regions. At CT, tuberculomas appear as rounded
or lobulated masses with low or high attenuation. They
demonstrate homogenous or ring enhancement and have
irregular walls of varying thickness 8.
3. Abdominal Tuberculosis
Ileocecal involvement is seen in 80-90% of patients
with abdominal TB 12. Thickening of the valve lips or
wide gaping of the valve with narrowing of the terminal ileum (the Fleischner sign) has been described as
a characteristic of tuberculosis. At CT scan, one half
of patients with gastrointestinal TB show circumferential thickening of the cecum and terminal ileum,
enlargement of the ileocecal valve and mesenteric
lymph-ade-nopathy4.
Hepatosplenic TB generally manifests in a micronodular (miliary) or macronodular (tuberculoma) form.
On CT scans, numerable tiny, low attenuation foci may
be seen. The macronodular form is rare. The spleen
probably always is seeded during the initial lymphohematogenous spread. Only rarely are the tubercles
numerous enough and large enough to undergo caseation and calcify6.
4. Renal Tuberculosis
The earliest urographic abnormality is a "motheaten" calix due to erosion. This finding is followed
by papillary necrosis. Poor renal function, dilatation
of the pelvocalyceal system due to a stricture of the
ureteopelvic junction, or destructive dilatation or
localized hydrocalycosis related to an infundibular
stricture may be seen. Cavitation with the renal
parenchyma may be detected as irregular pools of
contrast material8
Reference:
1. Kendig EL. Pulmonary and Pleural TB. Seminars in
Pediatric Infectious Disease. 1993; 4: 214-249.
2. Singson-Perlas P. Phil. Surgical Journal July-December
1995; 28: 47-52.
3. Bass JB, Fares LS, Hopewell PC, Jacobs RF, Snider JR DE.
Diagnostic Standards and Classification of Tuberculosis.
CPM 7th EDITION
Am Rev Respir Dis, 1990; 142: 725.

4. Davidson PT. Drug Resistance and Selection. Tuberculosis.
Am Rev Respir Dis. 1987; 133: 255-256.
5. Jacobs R, Starke J. Tuberculosis in Children. Medical
Clinical of North America. 1993; 77: 1335-1405.
6. Feigin RD, Cherry JD. Textbook of Pediatrics Infectious
Disease 2nd ed. Philadelphia; Saunders, 1987; 1342.
7. Sahn SA, Reff TA. Miliary Tuberculosis: The American
Journal of Medicine, 1974; 58: 495.
8. Engin G, Acunas B, Acunas G, Tucani M. Imaging of
Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis. Radiographics 2000; 20:
471-488.
9. Resnick D. Bone and Joint Imaging 2nd ed. Philadelphia,
Pa: Saunders, 1996; 684-716.
10. Moon MS. Tuberculosis of the Spine. Spine 1997; 22:
1791-1797.
11. Yao DC. Sartoooris DJ. Musculoskeletal Tuberculosis.
Radiol Clin North Am 1995; 33: 679-689.
12. Balthazar EJ, Gordon R, Hulrick D. Ileocecal Tuberculosis:
CT and Radiologic Evaluation. Am J Roentgenol, 1989;
449-503.

CPM 7 th EDITION

Diagnostic Tests For Tuberculosis
I. Diagnostic Mycobacteriology
A. Staining and Microscopy
B. Mycobacterial Culture
C. Collection and Transport of Specimens
1. Sputum
2. Gastric aspirate
3. Bronchial Washings
4. Urine
5. Other Body Fluids and Tissue
Methods for selective staining of mycobacteria are the

conventional Ziehl-Neelsen or Kinyoun stains and the
newer fluorochrome stains such as auramine and rhodamine stains. Both the Ziehl-Neelsen and fluorescent
acid fast technique are able to detect positive AFB
smears although higher positive yields are reported
with the fluorescent stains due to easier detection of
the fluorescing yellow-orange bacillus even on low
magnification.2
II. Histologic Examination
B. Mycobacterial Culture
III. Newer Diagnostic Tests

A. Serodiagnosis and Biochemical Markers
1. Antibody Detection
2. Antigen Detection
B. DNA Probes
C. Polymerase Chain Reaction
A positive culture for M. tuberculosis from body fluids and tissues confirms the diagnosis of tuberculosis.
Culture examinations should be done on all specimens,
regardless of AFB smear results. A positive AFB smear
may represent either M. tuberculosis or some non-tuberculous mycobacterium. Therefore, an AFB-positive smear is not sufficient evidence for bacteriologic
diagnosis of tuberculosis and offers only presumptive
diagnosis of tuberculosis.5
I. Diagnostic Mycobacteriology
A. Staining and Microscopic Examination
Detection of acid fast bacilli (AFB) in stained smears
examined microscopically is the first bacteriologic
evidence of the presence of mycobacteria in clinical
specimens. It is the easiest, least expensive and most
rapid procedure for obtaining preliminary information
and provides the physician with a presumptive diagnosis
of active tuberculosis. It also gives a quantitative estimation of the number of bacilli on the smear and implies
infectiousness of the patient. Studies in adults have
demonstrated the high specificity of sputum microscopy
ranging from 97.5-99.8%1. The major disadvantage of
the test is its low sensitivity (51.8-53.1%). It is estimated
that the lowest concentration of organisms that can be
detected by miscrocopic examination is 104 bacilli per
mL of sputum.
Therefore, culture examination should be done on all
specimens regardless of AFB smear results. In a local
study by Mendoza and Narciso, sputum AFB smear
was compared with mycobacterial culture as the gold
standard. The sensitivity was 51.8%, specificity 97.5%
computed positive predicted value (PPV) 76.3%, and
negative predictive value (NPV) 93.0%.2 Acid fast
smear gave a likelihood ratio of 21.58. In children,
AFB smears have lower sensitivity. In a study of 156
children with culture-proven tuberculosis, only 53
(34%) of clinical specimens were positive for acid
fast bacilli.3 Although the sensitivity is low, a positive
smear allows a significantly earlier identification of
patients with mycobacterial infections when compared
to culture.4
Mycobacterial culture has a low sensitivity in children

where only 40-50% of tuberculous cases are cultureproven.6 Fortunately, for most children with pulmonary
tuberculosis, culture confirmation is not necessary if
the epidemiologic, tuberculin skin test and roent-genographic information is compatible with the disease.7
However, cultures should be obtained from the child
if the source case is unknown or has a drug-resistant
organism, or if the child is immunocompromised or has
extrapulmonary tuberculosis.
Traditional culture methods utilize solid culture media which include the egg-potato-based media (e.g.
Lowenstein-Jensen) and the agar-base media (e.g.
Middlebrook 7H-10, Middlebrook 7H-11). Incubation of inoculated media in 5-10% carbon dioxide
atmosphere enhances the number of positive isolates
and the number of culturable colonies. The isolation
of organisms utilizing traditional culture methods
often require 4-6 weeks and another 2-4 weeks for
susceptibility testing.
The BACTEC radiometric system uses liquid media
containing fatty acid substrates labeled with carbon14. As the mycobacteria metabolizes the fatty acids,
14
CO2 is released and can be measured as a marker of
bacterial growth. The BACTEC system yields culture
and susceptibility results in as few as 7 to 10 days and
is more sensitive than traditional media for cultures of
sputum specimens from adults. No formal trials comparing BACTEC with traditional methods of culture of
specimens from children have been reported.
C. Collection and Transport of Specimens for
CPM 7th EDITION
Demonstration of Tubercle Bacilli

Success in isolating mycobacteria from clinical material
depends on the manner in which specimens are collected
and handled after their collection. Painstaking collection of specimens is essential for diagnosis in children
because fewer organisms are present as compared
with adults. For optimal results, specimens should be
transported to the laboratory and processed as soon as
possible after collection.8 Since mycobacterial disease
may occur in almost any site in the body, a variety of
clinical materials may be submitted to the laboratory
for examination. In children, specimens that may
be collected include gastric aspirate, sputum, urine,
cerebrospinal fluid, pleural fluid, bronchial washings,
pus, bone marrow, and biopsy or resected tissue.
Specimens must be collected in clean sterile containers and held under conditions that inhibit the growth
of contaminants since most specimens will contain
bacteria other than mycobacteria. Certain specimen
collection procedures are optimal for M. tuberculosis.
All specimens from non-sterile sites must be decontaminated before culture.
1. Sputum
For older children who are able to expectorate, a series
of three early morning specimens should be collected
on different days before start of chemotherapy and sent
to the laboratory without delay. The patient should be
instructed on how to produce a good specimen. Direct
supervision of the patient at least during the first time
sputum is collected best. Patients should be informed
that sputum is the material brought up from the lungs
and that mucus from the nose, throat, or saliva is not a
good specimen.
The patient should be placed in a well-ventilated area
for the collection of sputum specimen and instructed
to follow these steps to obtain a good specimen: (1)
clean and thoroughly rinse mouth with water; (2)
breath deeply three times; (3) after the third breath,
cough hard and try to bring up sputum from deep in
the lungs; (4) expectorate the sputum into a sterile con
tainer collecting at least one teaspoonful. The collected
specimen should then be examined by the microscopist
to see that the specimen collected is not just saliva.9
For patients who have difficulty producing sputum,
aerosol induction for 15 to 30 minutes using hypertonic
saline (3-10%) can be used to stimulate sputum pro
duction. Patients should be instructed to take several
normal breaths of the aerosol mist, inhale deeply, cough
hard then expectorate into the specimen container.
Although aerosol-induced specimens may appear thin
and watery, they should be processed as for sputum
specimen.
2. Gastric Aspirate
Gastric aspiration may be necessary for infants and

children who cannot produce sputum even with aerosol
inhalation. About 5-10 mL of gastric contents should
be aspirated early in the morning after the patient has
fasted for at least 8-10 hours, preferably before the child
rises and peristalsis empties the stomach of respiratory
secretions swallowed overnight. No more than 50-70 mL
of sterile water (not saline) should be injected through
the stomach tube and the aspirate added to the first collection. Concentration and culture should be performed
as soon as possible after collection. If culture cannot
be performed immediately, gastric acidity should be
neutralized, either with 10% sodium carbonate added by
dropper to a pH of 7 as indicated by phenol red or with
40% anhydrous sodium phosphate to green with bromothymol blue as indictaed.10 For these reasons, gastric
aspiration is best performed in hospitalized patients.
Three consecutive morning gastric aspirates yield M.
tuberculosis in only 30-50% of children and 70% of
infants with pulmonary tuberculosis.2,7,11,12 The yield
from random outpatient gastric aspirate samples is
exceedingly low.
"The main difficulty in recovering the causative organism is that in primary infection the majority of the cases
do not have sputum. Moreover, the bacillary population is not only small but the bacilli are deprived of a
bronchial outlet and cannot be recovered since they are
trapped within the tissues of the lung and lymph nodes.
Another difficulty...is that the younger the child, the more
futile are the attempts to obtain sputum specimens...
Hence, examination of the gastric contents is a far more
useful diagnostic method in younger children."As a rule
in the progressive forms of primary infection, notably,
tuberculous bronchopneumonia and caseous pneumonia, efforts to recover tubercle bacilli are successful."
M Pardo de Tavera (1975)
3. Bronchial Washings
Bronchoscopy can be done if the patient cannot cough
up sputum spontaneously or if sputum induction
and gastric aspiration are not successful. Bronchial
washings, brushings, and biopsy specimens may be
obtained depending on the diagnostic possibilities and
findings. Sputum produced after bronchoscopy should
also be collected and examined. In one study, the yield
of M. tuberculosis from bronchoscopy specimens
has been lower than from properly obtained gastric
aspirates.13
4. Urine
First morning-voided midstream specimen is preferred.
Multiple specimens are recommended to demonstrate
the presence of mycobacteria.
5. Other Body Fluids and Tissues

CPM 7 th EDITION

When non-invasive techniques have not provided a diagnosis, tissue or other body fluids should be obtained
for histologic evaluation and culture. Tissue specimens
for culture of M. tuberculosis should be placed in saline solution (not in formalin) and should be delivered
to the laboratory promptly. Alternatively, lymph node
aspirates and bits of biopsy tissue can also be inoculated
directly into a fluid medium such as Middlebrook 7H9.
In-patients with hematogenous of disseminated disease,
bone marrow biopsy, lung biopsy and liver biopsy for
histologic examination must be considered.8
II. Histologic Examination

Biopsy of a node, skin lesion, bone or pleura may
permit a quick presumptive diagnosis as well as yield
specimens for bacteriologic examination. The classic
pathologic lesion in tuberculosis consists of caseating
granulomas, which may demonstrate acid fast bacilli.
The pathologic events in the initial tuberculous infection depend upon the balance among the mycobacterial
antigen load, cell-mediated immunity which enhances
intracellular killing, and tissue hypersensitivity which
promotes extracellular killing.14 When the antigen load
is small and the degree of tissue sensitivity is high,
granuloma formation results from the organization of
lymphocytes, macrophages, Langerhans giant cells, and
fibroblasts. When both antigen load and the degree of
hypersensitivity are high, granuloma formation is less
organized. Tissue necrosis in tuberculosis is incomplete,
resulting in solid or semisolid acellular and amorphous
material referred to as caseous because of its cheesy
consistency. When the degree of tissue sensitivity is low,
as is often the case in infants or immuno-compromised
individuals, the reaction is diffuse and the infection is
not well controlled, leading to dissemination and local
tissue destruction. Tissue necrosis factor and other
cytokines released by specific lymphocytes promote
cellular destruction and tissue damage in susceptible
individuals.
III. Newer Diagnostic Tests

Current techniques for the diagnosis of tuberculosis
are beset by a number of limitations and problems.
Bacteriologic diagnosis of active tuberculosis in children is often difficult and diagnosis must rely largely
on clinical and x-ray examinations which have low
specificity and may produce a high proportion of
false positive results. Due to the difficulties in establishing the diagnosis of tuberculosis in the pediatric
population, there has been considerable interest in the
development of rapid diagnostic tests that might be
useful in children.
A. Serodiagnosis and Biochemical Markers
Immunoassays may involve either detection of antibodies against the TB bacilli or detection of the tuberculous antigen. A variety of mycobacterial antigens such
as complex antigens from Bacillus Calmette-Guerin
(BCG) and tubercle bacilli or purified glycolipids and
proteins from M. tuberculosis have been evaluated
by means of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method for their diagnostic potential in
tuberculosis.
1. Antibody Detection
Several studies have used the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect antibodies to
various purified or complex antigens of M. tuberculosis. Sensitivity of these tests would depend on the
prevalence of tuberculosis in the area, the sensitivity
being higher in highly prevalent areas. Specificity
on the other hand will depend on the antigen used.
Mycobacterial sonicates and autoclaved suspensions
of M. tuberculosis were examples of crude bacillary
antigens used. In adults, the sensitivity of these tests
were shown to range from 49-92% and specificity between 84-98%.15 Utilizing an adsorbed mycobacterial
sonicate in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay
on samples from 21 children with clinical tuberculosis,
Rosen found the TB ELISA to have sensitivity of 25.8%
and a specificity of 39.5%. 16
The low specificity of the ELISA test was attributed to

the recent BCG vaccination in children under 5 years of
age. Barrera, et al used an ELISA which detects antibody
to purified protein derivative and found a sensitivity of
51% for culture-positive pulmonary tuberculosis in
children but the sensitivity was only 28% for the clinical cases.17 Hussey, et al used an autoclaved suspension
of M. tuberculosis to detect antibodies in serum from
132 children with clinical pulmonary tuberculosis;
the test was 62% sensitive and 98% specific. Higher
sensitivity was obtained among patients with positive
culture results (69%), miliary TB (100%), TB meningitis (80%) and pleural effusion (78%).18 In contrast
to the study by Barrera, there was no correlation as
observed with the tuberculin skin test result, BCG
vaccination, or nutritional status. However, duration
of therapy, increasing age and chronicity of infection
were positively correlated.
Development of highly purified antigens such as antigen
5, antigen 6, and antigen A60 have been shown to have
improved specificity and improved its potential applicability in serodiagnosis. A small study in Argentina of
21 children with bacteriology confirmed tuberculosis
showed that ELISA utilizing antigen 5 yielded a sensitivity of 86% and a specificity of 100%.19 In children
with tuberculous meningitis, ELISA using antigen 5
detected immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody in the CSF
CPM 7th EDITION
in fewer than 20% of cases. Delacourt, et al used an

ELISA to detect IgG and IgM antibodies directed
against mycobacterial antigen A60 in children with
tuberculosis. At a predetermined specificity of 98%,
IgG was detected in 68% of children with clinical
disease when results were highly controlled for age
and prior BCG vaccination; IgM detection had only
19% sensitivity.20 Using the same antigen A60 ELISA
at a defined specificity of 95%, Turneer, et al found
IgG sensitivity to be only 26% for past tuberculosis,
6% for asymptomatic primary tuberculosis, 14% for
symptomatic tuberculosis, and 9% for nontuberculous
mycobacterial adenitis.21
15
2. Antigen Detection
Other investigations have attempted to detect structural
components of mycobacteria directly, such as tuberculostearic acid in sputum, serum, and CSF. These tests
yielded high sensitivity and specificity in various clinical specimens from adults with tuberculosis.22,23,24,25,26
However, these have not been evaluated in a systematic
fashion in children. Measurement of tuberculostearic
acid, a mycobacterial mycolic acid has been used to
detect M. tuberculosis in clinical specimens. Sada and
colleagues established ELISA for detection of mycobacterial antigen in CSF. Among patients diagnosed
to have TB meningitis, the test was shown to have a
sensitivity of 81% and a specificity of 100%.27 Brooks
demonstrated a sensitivity of 95% and specificity of
91% when a chromatographic profile of carboxylic acids
and detection of tuberculostearic were combined and
compared with culture results in adults with pulmonary
tuberculosis.28
Wadee and coworkers utilized double-antibody sandwich ELISA to detect M. tuberculosis antigens in CSF,
pleural and ascitic fluids of diagnosed tuberculous
patients.25 In this report, ELISA demonstrated specificities of 96% for CSF, 96.7% for pleural fluid and
97.1% for ascitic fluids. Sensitivity was 100% for all
three body fluids. In a later report, Chanteau utilized a
45/47 kilodalton antigen immunocapture ELISA test
on sputum specimens and demonstrated that although
the specificity of the test was 95.6%, the sensitivity
was less than 40%.29 Due to variable sensitivity and
specificity results, these tests cannot be recommended
for the routine diagnosis of tuberculosis. In addition,
these techniques require use of complex techniques
such as gas chromatography, mass spectrometry with
ion monitoring and expertise which are not commonly
available. Moreover, their sensitivity and specificity in
children are completely unknown.
Overall, no available serodiagnostic tests for TB has
adequate sensitivity, specificity or reproducibility under
various clinical conditions to be useful for diagnosis of
TB in children. The search for new diagnostic techniques
which could be faster, more sensitive and specific than

the current microscopic technique and mycobacterial
culture is still ongoing.
B. DNA Probes
The tubercle bacillus had specific ribosomal RNA
sequences which can be detected in clinical specimens
after suitable preparation, by hybridization with specific complementary DNA probes. Radiolabeled DNA
is added to a preparation containing the mycobacterial
DNA. After hybridization occurs, unlabeled RNA and
DNA are washed away, and the amount of hybridization is measured in a gamma counter. Two types of
probes are available: direct and indirect probes. Direct probes are those used directly on samples from
patients. Indirect probes are those used on colonies
or mycobacteria isolated on solid media from body
fluids or tissue. These probes are used to identify
the species of mycobacteria grown in pure culture.
Roberts utilized whole chromosomal DNA probes
in dot blot assays to identify clinical isolates of M.
tuberculosis, Mycobacterium avium complex and M.
gordonae. This test was able to correctly identify 93%
of the mycobacterial cultures grown on agar plates. 30
In another study, Ellner combined radiometric methodology (BACTEC 12B) and probe technology for
recovery and identification of mycobacteria. 31 This
procedure resulted in a 5 to 7 week reduction in the
average time to final report. However, this method is
also labor-intensive.
C. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
PCR is a technique of DNA amplification that uses
specific DNA sequences as markers for microorganisms.
In theory, this technique can detect a single organism
in a specimen such as sputum, gastric aspirate, pleural
fluid, cerebrospinal fluid, or blood. Recent publications
show that various PCR techniques, mostly using the
mycobacterial insertion element IS6110 as the DNA
marker for M. tuberculosis-complex organisms, have a
sensitivity and specificity greater than 90% for detecting
pulmonary tuberculosis in adults.32
Use of PCR for detecting M. tuberculosis has not been
evaluated as extensively in children. Pierre, et al used
an IS6110-based PCR to detect M. tuberculosis in gastric
aspirate samples from 22 children with pulmonary TB.33
They found that 15(25%) of 59 samples were positive;
however, testing multiple samples or testing samples at
least twice improved the sensitivity. When three samples
from the same patient were tested two times each, two
or more positive results were obtained from 9 of 15
children with TB, but from 0 of 17 controls. However,
2 of 65 single samples from controls were positive by
PCR. Using an IS6110-based PCR assay, Starke, et al
tested gastric aspirates from 35 hospitalized children
with pulmonary TB and 30 controls to detect M. tuber-

CPM 7 th EDITION

culosis.34 When compared with the clinical diagnosis,

PCR had a sensitivity of 40% and specificity of 80%.
Six controls had false-positive PCR results; one had a
recent TB infection, two had non-tuberculous mycobacterial disease and three had conditions unrelated to
mycobacterial infection.
Delacourt, et al studied 199 specimens from 68 children with suspected tuberculosis. An IS6110-based
PCR identified M. tuberculosis in clinical samples
from 83% of children with disease compared to the
low yield from positive AFB smears (21%) and positive cultures (42%).35 PCR identified 70% of children
with clinical pulmonary TB but no other microbio
logic proof of the infection. Sensitivity of the PCR
was increased by testing multiple samples from the
same child although the ideal number of samples to
be collected from each child could not be determined.
False positive PCR results were seen in 39% of children
with infection but no radiographic or clinical disease.
These results again demonstrate the arbitrariness of
the distinction between TB infection and disease in
children.
Nested amplification is a method devised to increase
both sensitivity and specificity and has been used
under actual clinical conditions in several laboratories. 36,37 In a local study, Montoya and co-workers
evaluated PCR with nested application utilizing 18
and 20 oligonucleotide primers encoding a gene of
protein antigen B on cerebrospinal fluid from patients
with smear negative but bacteriologically-confirmed
tuberculous meningitis.38 Seven out of 8 samples were
positive by PCR implying the usefulness of PCR as a
rapid diagnostic test for tuberculosis. Further evaluation on more samples and other clinical samples are
recom-mended.
It appears that PCR may have a useful but limited place
in evaluating children for TB. A negative PCR result
never eliminated TB as a diagnostic possibility, and a
positive result does not confirm it. Performing PCR on
gastric aspirates will not distinguish between TB in
fection and disease and should not be used for children
with normal chest radiographs.39 The high cost of the
test, its labor intensity and problems in specificity preclude its use as part of the routine initial evaluation of
patients suspected to have tuberculosis. Until advances
in PCR technique improve sensitivity and specificity,
PCR alone is insufficient as a single diagnostic test
for tuberculosis in children. The major use of PCR in
children is when the diagnosis of active tuberculosis
is difficult and need to be confirmed rapidly to exclude
other diagnosis especially in cases of negative AFB
smears and TB cultures. PCR may be particularly
helpful in evaluating immunocompromised children
with pulmonary disease, although published reports
of PCR performance in such children are lacking.
PCR may also aid in establishing the diagnosis in

extrapulmonary tuberculosis because these infections
are usually paucibacillary.
Reference:
1. Klein NC, Duncanson FB, Lenox TH, et al. Use of
mycobacterial smears in the diagnosis of pulmonary
tuberculosis in AIDS/ARC patients. Chest 1989; 95: 11901192.
2. Mendoza MT, Narciso CP. The reliability of sputum AFB
microscopy. Phil J Microbiol Infect Dis 1987; 16: 30-35.
3. Burroughs M, Beitel A, Kawamura A, et al. Clinical
presentation of tuberculosis in culture-positive children.
Ped Inf Dis J 1999; 18 (%): 440-446.
4. Berean K, Roberts FS. The reliability of acid fast smears of
gastric aspirate specimens. Tubercle 1988; 69: 205-208.
5. Heifets LB, Good RC. "Current laboratory methods for
the diagnosis of tuberculosis." Tuberculosis: Pathogenesis,
Protection and Control. Edited by Barry R. Bloom.
Washington DC: American Society of Microbiology, 1994.
pp 85-110.
6. Starke JR, Taylor-Watts KT. Tuberculosis in the pediatric
population of Houston, Texas. Pediatrics 1989; 84: 2835.
7. Starke JR. Modern approach to the diagnosis and treatment
of tuberculosis in children. Pediatr Clin N Am 1988; 3593:
441-464.
8. American Thoracic Society. Diagnostic standards and
classification of tuberculosis. Am. Rev Resp Dis 1990;
142: 725-735.
9. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Public
Health Service and Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention. Core curriculum on tuberculosis: What the
clinician should know. Third edition. Atlanta, Georgia:
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 1994.
10. Starke JR, Smith MH. "Tuberculosis." In Textbook of
Pediatric Infectious Disease. Fourth Edition. Edited by
Feigin RD and Cherry JD. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders
Company 1998, p.1219-1220.
11. Pomputius WF, Rost J, Dennehy PH, Carter J.
Standardization of gastric aspirate technique improves
yield in the diagnosis of tuberculosis in children. Ped Inf
Dis J 1997; 16: 222-226.
12. Vallejo J, Ong LT, Starke JR. Clinical features, diagnosis
and treatment of tuberculosis in infants. Pediatrics 1994:
941-947.
13. Abadco D, Steiner P. Gastric lavage is better than
bronchoalveolar lavage for isolation of Myco-bacterium
tuberculosis in childhood pulmonary tuberculosis. Ped Inf
Dis J 1992; 11: 735-738.
14. Haas DW. "Mycobacterium tuberculosis." In Principles and
Practice of Infectious Diseases. Fifth Edition. Edited by
Mandell GL, Bennett JE, Dolin R. Philadelphia: Churchill
Livingstone 2000, p 2582.
15. Daniel TM, Debanne SM. The serodiagnosis of tuberculosis
and other mycobacterial diseases by enzyme-linked
immunosorbent assay. Am Rev Resp Dis 1987; 135: 11371151.
16. Rosen EU. The diagnostic value of an enzyme-linked
immunosorbent assay using adsorbed mycobacterial
sonicates in children. Tubercle 1990; 71: 127-130.
17. Barrera L, Miceli I, Ritacco V, et al. Detection of circulating
antibodies to purified protein derivative by enzyme-linked
immunosorbent assay: its potential for the rapid diagnosis
of tuberculosis. Pediatr Infect Dis J 1989; 8: 763-767.
18. Hussey G, Kibel M, Dempster W. The serodiagnosis of
tuberculosis in children: an evaluation of an ELISA test
using IgG antibodies to M. tuberculosis strain H37RV. Ann
Trop Paediatr 1991; 11: 113-118.
CPM 7th EDITION
19. Alde SLM, Pinasco H, Pelosif A, et al. Evaluation of

an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using an IgG
antibody to M. tuberculosis in children. Am Rev Resp
Dis 1986; 134: 35-363 .
20. Delacourt C, Gobin J, Gaillard J-L, de Blic J, Veran M,
Scheinmann P. Value of ELISA using antigen 60 for the
diagnosis of tuberculosis in children. Chest 1993; 104:
393-398.
21. Turneer M, Nerom EV, Nyabenda J, Waelbroeck A,
Duvivier A, Toppet M. Determination of humoral
immunoglobulins M and G directed against mycobacterial
antigen 60 failed to diagnose primary tuberculosis and
mycobacterial adenitis in children. Am J Respir Crit Care
Med 1994; 150: 1508-1512.
22. Brooks JB, Daneshuar MI, Fast DM, et al. Selective
procedures for detecting femtomole quantities of
tuberculostearic acid in serum and cerebrospinal fluid
by frequency-lysed electron capture gas-liquid chroma
tography. J Clin Microbiol 1987; 25: 1201-1206.
23 . French GL, Chan CY, Cheng SW, et al. Diagnosis
of pulmonary tuberculosis by detection of tuber-culo
stearic acid in sputum using gas chromatography-mass
spectrometry with selected ion monitoring. J Inf Dis 1987;
156: 356-362.
24. Larsson L, Odham G, Westerdahl G, et al. Diagnosis
of pulmonary tuberculosis by selected ion monitoring:
improved analysis of tuberculostearate in sputum using
negative-ion spectrometry. J Clin Microbiol 1987; 25:
893-896.
25. Wadee AA, Boling L, Reddy SG. Antigen capture assay for
detection of a 43-kilodalton Mycobacterium tuberculosis
antigen. J Clin Microbiol 1990; 28: 2786-2791.
26. Sada E, Aguilar D, Torres M, et al. Detection of
lipoarabinomannan as a diagnostic test for tuberculosis.
J Clin Microbiol 1992; 30: 2415-2416.
27. Sada E, Ruiz-Palacios AM, Lopez-Visal Y, et al. Detection
of mycobacterial-antigens in cerebrospinal fluid of
patients with tuberculous meningitis by enzyme-linked
immunosorbent assay. Lancet 1983; 2: 651-652.
28. Brooks JB, Daneshvar MI, Harberger RL, et al. Rapid
diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis by frequency-pulsed
electron-captive gas-liquid chromatography detection of
carboxylic acids in cerebrospinal fluid. J Clin Microbiol
1990; 41: 5-50.
29. Chanteau S, Rasolofo V, Rasolonavalona, et al 45/47
kilodalton (APA) antigen capture and antibody detection
assays of the diagnosis of tuberculosis. Int J Tuberc Lung
Dis 2000; 4(4): 377-383.
30. Roberts MC, McMillan C, Coyle MB, Whole chro
mosomal DNA probes for rapid identification of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium aviumcomplex. J Clin Microbiol 1987; 25: 1239-1243.
31. Ellner PD, Kiehn TE, Cammarata R, Hosmer M. Rapid
detection and identification of pathogenic myco-bacteria
by combining radiometric and nucleic acid probe methods.
J Clin Microbiol 1988; 26(7): 1349-1352.
32. Eisenach KD, Sifford MD, Cane MD, Bates JH, Crawford
JT. Detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in sputum
samples using a polymerase chain reaction. Am Rev
Respir Dis 1991; 144: 1160-1163.
33. Pierre C, Oliver C, Lecossier D, Boussougant Y, Yemi P,
Hance AJ. Diagnosis of primary tuberculosis in children
by amplification and detection of myco-bacterial DNA.
Am Rev Respir Dis 1993; 147: 420-424.
34. Starke JR, Ong LT, Eisenach KD, et al. Detection of M.
tuberculosis in gastric aspirate samples from children
using polymerase reaction. Am Rev Respir Dis 1993;
147(Suppl): A801.
35. Delacourt C, Poveda J-D, Churean C, et al. Use of
36.
37.
38.
39.
polymerase chain reaction for improved diagnosis of

tuberculosis in children. J Pediatr 1995; 126: 703-709.
Pierre C, Lecossier D, Boussougant Y, et al. Use of
reamplification protocol improves sensitivity of detection
of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in clinical samples by
amplification of DNA. J Clin Microbiol 1991; 29: 712717.
Narita M, Matsuzono, Shibata M, Togashi T. Nested
amplification protocol for the detection of Myco-bacterium
tuberculosis. Acta Paeditr 1992; 81: 997-1001.
Montoya JC, Reclusado G, Sombrero LT. Detection of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis in cerebrospinal fluids of
smear-negative tuberculous meningitis using polymerase
chain reaction with nested amplification. The Phil J
Microbiol and Infect Dis 1997; 26(1): 1-4.
Khan EA, Starke JR. Diagnosis of tuberculosis in children:
Increased need for better methods. Emerging Inf Dis 1995;
1(4): 115-123.

CPM 7 th EDITION

Tuberculin Skin Test
I. Overview
2. PPD-S
The tuberculin skin test is the most widely used method

to determine latent TB infection (LTBI), individuals
who are infected with M. tuberculosis and who do not
have TB disease. The Mantoux test is the standard
and recommended method of giving the tuberculins
for screening. The test is based on a delayed (cellular)
hypersensitivity to certain antigens of the TB organism contained in extracts of culture filtrates known as
"tuberculin" 1.
The American Thoracic Society (ATS) and the Centers

for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the US,
endorse the 5 TU PPD-S as the standard dose for tuberculin skin test in North America. Newly manufactured
batches of tuberculin are currently bioassayed, and the
5-TU standard is the amount of material which produces
results equal to those produced by 5-TU PPD-S = 0.0001
mg of PPD-S5,6.
Tuberculin reactivity provides a general measure

of a person's cellular immune responsiveness. The
delayed (cellular) hypersensitivity reaction is the
classical reaction brought about by the tuberculin
injected intracutaneously. A prior infection with the
Myco-bacterium tuberculosis or tuberculoproteins
from BCG vaccine results in T-cell sensitization that
releases lymphokines at the site of injection. These
lympho-kines then induce local vasodilation, edema,
fibrin deposition, and recruitment of other inflammatory cells to the area resulting in induration. Features
of the reaction include 1 (1) its delayed course, reaching
a peak more than 24 hrs after injection of the antigen; (2) its indurated character; and (3) its occasional
vesiculation and necrosis. Reaction to the tuberculin
starts 5-6 hours after injection, in which maximal
induration is noted within 48-72 hours post-injection,
and subsides over a period of days.
In most children, tuberculin reaction first appear 3 to
6 weeks, and occasionally up to 3 months, after initial
infection2.
II. The Procedure

A.Preparations of PPD (Purified Protein Derivative)
for Mantoux Tuberculin Skin Testing:
PPD (purified protein derivative) tuberculin, which is
used for most skin testing, is isolated from culture filtrate
by protein precipitation.
1. PPD-RT23
The World Health Organization (WHO) and the
Inter national Union Against Tuberculosis and
Lung Disease (IUATLD) recommend the 2-tuberculin unit (2-TU) PPD-RT23, as the standardized
dose for Mantoux tuberculin skin test surveys 3 .
The PPD-RT23 is the most widely used tuberculin
skin test in the world 3,4 . This is equivalent to twofifths the concentration of antigen determined to
be bioequivalent to 5-T.U. of PPD-S, the standard
tuberculin preparation. Therefore, a dose of 0.1 mL
of 2-TU PPD-RT23 is biologically equivalent to
0.1 mL of 5-TU PPD-S.
Tuberculin units are defined on a weight basis: 1-TU

(one-tuberculin unit) equals 0.02 mcg (micrograms) of
0.1 mL of tuberculin PPD-RT23 SSI. The standard
test dose of a commercial PPD preparation is defined as the dose of the product that is biologically
equivalent to that contained in 5-TU of PPD-S (i.e.
it elicits reactions of equivalent size +20%)1,5,6. Using
a 10-mm cut-off point for positive tuberculin reactivity, a simultaneous comparison study regarding PPD
reactivity between 2-TU PPD RT-23 and 5-TU PPD-S
involving 202 health workers, was found to be comparable7. The skin test reaction sizes with two antigens
(i.e. 2-TU PPD-RT23 and 5-TU PPD-S) did not differ
statistically, based on age, sex or prior BCG vaccination. As a rule of thumb, 0.1 mL of the 2 TU of RT23
will have a tuberculin reactivity similar to 0.1 mL of
the 5 TU of PPD-S2,3.
B. Administration, Reading and Recording of the
Mantoux Tuberculin Skin Test1-3
The Mantoux tuberculin skin test is performed by
injecting 0.1 mL of either the 2 TU of PPD RT23
or the 5 TU of PPD-S intradermally into the volar
aspect of the forearm, using a gauge 25 to 27 needle tuberculin syringe. A pale wheal 6 to 10 mm
in diameter should be evident after injection. The
test is then read within 48-72 hours from time of
administration.
The area of induration (palpable raised hardened area)
around the site of injection is the reaction to tuberculin. The diameter of the indurated area, and not the
erythema, is measured transversely to the long-axis of
the forearm either by palpation or by the ballpoint pen
method. The ball point pen technique is done by drawing
a straight line from a point of 5 to 10 mm away from
both the opposite sides of the margin of skin induration, and continuously drawn towards the center, until
a resistance is felt to further movement. The distance
between the two opposite points where the resistance
is felt is the size of PPD induration, and measured in
mm. All reactions should be recorded in millimeters.
If no induration is found, "0 mm" should be recorded.
Untoward reactions to tuberculin such are uncommon. A
CPM 7th EDITION
few exquisitely sensitive individuals may have vesicular

or ulcerating local reactions to skin testing. Much less
encountered are regional adenopathy and fever.
Note: Tween 80 is incorporated to the diluent for PPD
to reduce adsorption, since PPD is adsorbed in varying
amounts by glass and plastics once diluted. To minimize loss of potency due to adsorption, the tuberculin
should not be transferred from one container to another.
The solution should always be kept cold (+2 degree to
+8 degrees Celsius) and protected from light. Aseptic
technique should always be observed when aspirating
test doses.
C. Interpretation of the Mantoux Tuberculin Test
The tuberculin test is a safe and cost-effective test used
worldwide as a clinical and epidemiological tool for
TB diagnosis and tuberculin surveys, res-pectively.4,8
A reliable interpretation of the tuberculin skin test
requires knowledge of the antigen used (tuberculin),
the proper technique of the administration and reading of the test, results of epidemiological and clinical
experience with the test and conditions that can bring
about the false positive and false negative interpretations of the tests.
Factors that may cause false-positive reactions include:
nontuberculous mycobacteria and BCG vaccination.
False negative reactions may be attributed to anergy,
very young age (less than 6 months), recent TB infection or overwhelming TB disease, and live-virus
vaccination.
The interpretation of a PPD reaction should be based on
the purpose for which the test is given, the prevalence
of TB infection in the population being tested, and the
consequences of false classification. The likelihood
that a person with a positive PPD is actually infected
with M. tuberculosis is dependent upon the prevalence
of tuberculosis in the population group to which the
person belongs. This forms the basis for the different cut points used to classify a skin test as positive.
The sensitivity and specificity of the tuberculin skin
test would depend on the prevalence of TB and Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) in the area, BCG
status and the cut-off point used for defining positive
tuberculin reactivity 9,10,11.
Post-BCG tuberculin reactions develop 6-12 weeks
after vaccination 9,11. BCG immunization and other
Non-Tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) can bring about
tuberculin reactivity. However, the tuberculin reaction
believed to be affected by BCG wanes after 5 years from
immunization. About 80-90% in children who received
BCG as infants have a non-reactive tuberculin skin test
at 5 years of age9,10,11. A number of studies have shown
that infants, children and adults from countries with
intermediate and high tuberculosis rates have the same
prevalence of significant tuberculin reactions, regardless

of BCG status 12-15.
A positive PPD reaction in individuals residing in
areas highly endemic for TB, e.g.>100/100,000 population, is most likely due to exposure from natural
infection caused by the M. tuberculosis, rather than
those caused by BCG immunization for non tuber
culous Mycobacteria (NTM), since most patients
who receive BCG vaccination as children, lose their
cutaneous hypersensitivity reaction to tuberculin
within 5 years 1,2,5. Therefore, a significant reaction
more likely represents true exposure to tuberculosis
especially in the setting of a recent exposure.
A new TB blood test FDA approved commercially
employs a cell-mediated immune response, interferongamma that could detect latent TB infection from that
caused by BCG vaccine and other non-mycobacterium
TB 16. This test however, has yet to be clinically tested
in children less than 18 years of age. In children therefore, there is still no reliable method to distinguish
tuberculin reactivity, whether from natural infection
with TB, from non-myco-bacterium TB or from
those caused by BCG immunization. Tuberculin skin
test reactions using the Mantoux method should be
interpreted in the same manner for persons who have
received BCG and for those unvaccinated individuals
17
. BCG immunization is not a contraindication for
tuberculin skin testing.
Approximately 10% of children with culture-proven
tuberculosis are Mantoux test negative18,19. Likewise,
a negative reaction to tuberculin skin test does not
necessarily rule out TB infection. Live-virus vaccines,
such as OPV, Varicella, MMR or oral typhoid (TY21a)
may cause suppression of the tuberculin reaction. The
tuberculin skin test should be administered either on
the same day as live virus vaccines or postpone for at
least 4-6 weeks 20.
Table 1 gives the factors related to the person being
tested, the tuberculin use, the method of administration,
error in reading and recording of results that may lead
to false negative reactions to the Mantoux test.

D. Studies to Determine Cut-off Points for Tuberculin Reactivity
The 1997 National Consensus on Childhood Tuberculosis, proposed two cut-off values for the definition of the
positive tuberculin skin test reaction depending on the
patient's age and BCG status 21. The >10-mm induration
size is considered a positive reaction for children less
than 5 years of age and for BCG immunized children.
Whereas the >5 mm induration size is considered the
positive cut-off value for children beyond 5 years of age,
and for non-BCG vaccinated children. These recommendations were based on the high TB prevalence in

CPM 7 th EDITION

Table 1 Factors that may cause false negative reactions to the Mantoux test
1. Factors related to the person being tested
a. Infections: viral - measles, mumps, chicken
pox bacterial - typhoid fever, brucellosis,
typhus, leprosy, pertussis tuberculous,
pleurisy; fungal - South American blastomycosis
b. live attenuated virus vaccinations against
measles, mumps, polio, chicken pox
c. metabolic derangements - e.g. chronic renal
failure
d. nutritional factors - e.g. severe protein
depletion
e. diseases affecting lymphoid organs such
as Hodgkin's disease, lymphoma, chronic
lymphocytic leukemia and sarcoidosis
f. corticosteroids and other immunosuppressive agents
g. age: newborns and elderly patients with
"waned" sensitivity
h. incubating or recent, far advanced or over
whelming infection with M. tuberculosis
i. stresses such as surgery, burns, mental illness, and graft versus host reactions
j. complete anergy, giving negative skin test

response to PPD as well or other skin test
antigens
2. Factors related to the tuberculin used
a. improper storage - exposure to light and
heat
b. improper dilution
c. chemical denaturation
d. contamination
e. adsorption into the syringe - partially controlled by adding Tween 80
3. Factors related to the method of admi-nistration
a. injection of too little antigen
b. delayed administration after drawing into
syringe
c. too deep injection
4. Factors related to error in reading and recording of results
a. inexperienced reader
b. conscious or unconscious bias
c. error in recording
Source: The American Thoracic Society1
the Philippines and experiences of other Asian countries,

considering the diverse epidemiological conditions
prevailing in this region.
Table 2 shows the results of three local studies
that were done to determine the sensitivity and
specificity of 5-TU PPD-S among Filipino children
using 10 mm induration as cut-off point. Sensitivity ranged from 64.7 to 84.7%; specificity ranged
from 54 to 97.7%. All three also showed that BCG
and nutritional status do not significantly affect
tuberculin reactivity.
While monographs followed by the American Academy
of Pediatrics also recommend the >10-mm induration
cut-off, our pediatric pulmonologists utilize the >8-mm

induration size as the positive cut-off level in tuberculin
reactions. The 1997 National TB Prevalence Survey,
advocates the >8-mm induration size (using the 2-TU
PPD-RT 23) as the cut-off size for positive tuberculin
reactivity 24. This concurs with the earlier recommendation of the first National TB Prevalence Survey done
locally in 1981-1983, using a lower strength of 1 TU
PPD-RT 23. The Center for Tuberculosis in Children,
Philippines (CTCP) adheres to the recommendation
of the latest National TB prevalence survey utilizing
the cut-off point of >8-mm induration as the positive
size for tuberculin reactivity using 2-TU PPD-RT23
tuberculin 25.
Table 2. The sensitivity and specificity of the 5-TU PPD-S among Filipino children12,22,23
Authors
No. of
Age
Subjects (Range in Years)
Sensitivity
Specificity
Year
Tolentino & Soriano
166
0 to 5 yrs
64.7%
74.5%
1999
Bunyi & Soriano
218
7 to 14 yrs
84.7%
54%
1997
Chan, et. al

270
3 mos to 10 yrs
59.3%
97.7%
1994

CPM 7th EDITION
E. Rationale for Cut-off Value for Tuberculin

Reactivity
Considerations in the choice for the most appropriate
definition of a positive cut-off point for tuberculin
reactivity should be weighed judiciously between
overdiagnosis and underdiagnosis of TB infection
and disease from normal subjects, based on the sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value of
the test that would depend on clinical and epidemiological factors. The sensitivity of the diagnostic test
is the probability that the test result will be positive,
while specificity is the probability that the test will
be negative 26 . As sensitivity increases, the number
of false positive cases increase, leading to a decrease
in the specificity.
The positive predictive value (PPV) on the other hand,
is the probability that a person with a positive result
actually has the disease. It also serves as a crude
measure of relative cost-efficiency. That is, it reflects
the ratio of the screening program yield (as number
of true positives) to the cost of misdiagnosis (as false
positives and false negatives) for a given number of
screenees 26,27. The Mantoux PPD tuberculin skin test
is the best screening test for asymptomatic TB patients.
In places where TB prevalence of infection is high,
the specificity and positive predictive value (PPV)
of the PPD tuberculin test are remarkably increased,
resulting to a superior tool for screening puposes 2,28.
As the prevalence of the disease increase, it becomes
more likely that the person being tested actually has
the disease with less false positive results 14. Hence,
the more prevalent the disease, the more sensitive the
test must be.
A recent study by Chan involving 360 subjects concurred with the 1997 National TB Prevalence Survey
showing the >8-mm induration as the best cut-off size
for positive tuberculin reactivity with a sensitivity of
78.36%, specificity of 89.16%, positive predictive value
(PPV) of 96.95%, and accuracy rate of 80.36%29. The
different cut-off points plotted in the receiver operating characteristics curve (ROC) likewise proved the
cut-off value >8-mm induration as that best level that
could discriminate a positive from a negative Mantoux
tuberculin test reaction among children with TB infection and disease.
III. Phenomenon Related to Tuberculin Testing

A. Anergy
The absence of a reaction to the tuberculin skin test
does not rule out the diagnosis of TB disease or infection. In immunosuppressed persons, delayed-type
hyper-sensitivity responses to tuberculins may decrease
or disappear, a condition known as anergy. It may be
caused by many factors, such as measles or other viral
infections, HIV infection, severe or febrile illness,

Hodgkin's disease, sarcoidosis, live-virus vaccination,
or the administration of corticosteroids or immunosuppressive drugs. HIV-infected persons may have a
compromised ability to react to tuberculin skin tests
because of cutaneous anergy.
Anergy is detected by administering at least two other
delayed-type hypersensitivity antigens, such as tetanus
toxoid, mumps, or Candida, by the Mantoux technique,
in conjunction with tuberculin skin testing. Persons
who have a reaction of 3 mm or greater than to any of
the antigens (including PPD) are not anergic. Individuals who have a positive reaction to tuberculin should
be considered infected with M. tuberculosis, regardless of their reaction to other antigens. The results
of anergy testing should be recorded in millimeters
of induration. In persons demonstrating anergy, the
probability of being infected should be assesed, taking
into consi-deration, history of exposure to persons with
infectious TB and the high endemicity of prevalence
of TB in the area.
B. Boosted Reaction and Two-Step Testing 1,8
In some people who are infected with M. tuberculosis,
delayed-hypersensitivity to tuberculin may wane over
the years. When these people are skin tested many
years after infection, they may have a negative reaction.
However, this skin test may stimulate (boost) their ability to react to tuberculin, causing a positive reaction to
subsequent tests. This boosted reaction may be misinterpreted as a new infection. The booster pheno-menon
increases with age and is highest among older persons.
Boosted reactions may occur in persons infected with
nontuberculous mycobacteria or in persons who have
had a prior BCG vaccination.
Two-step testing is used to reduce the likelihood that
a boosted reaction will be misinterpreted as a recent
infection and should be used for the initial skin testing of adults who will be retested periodically, such as
health care workers. If the reaction to the first test is
classified as negative, a second test should be done 1
to 3 weeks later.
A positive reaction to the second test probably represents
a boosted reaction (past infection or prior BCG vaccination). On the basis of this second test result, the person
should be classified as previously infected and cared for
accordingly. This should not be considered a skin test
conversion. If the second test result is also negative,
the person should be classified as uninfected. In these
individuals, a positive reaction to any subsequent test
is likely to represent new infection with M. tuberculosis
(skin test conversion).
C. Skin Test Conversion 1,8
Skin-test conversion is indicative of recent infection

CPM 7 th EDITION

with M. tuberculosis, regardless of age. An increase

in reaction size of >10-mm induration within a period
of 2 years for persons with previously negative tuberculin skin-test reactions, is classified as conversion to
positive.
Reference:
1. American Thoracic Society; Diagnostic Standards and

Classification Tuberculosis in Adults and Children; Am J
Respir Crit Care Med Vol 161. p 1387, 2000.
2. Huebner, R.E., W. Schein, and J.B. Bass, Jr. 1993. The
tuberculin skin test. Clin. Infect. Dis. 17: 968-975.
3. Statens Serum Institut, Biologicals Division, Facts about
the PPD-RT 23 Tuberculin skin test, Denmark.
4. Menzies D., EDITORIALS; Tuberculin surveys - why?;
Int J Tuberc Lung Dis 1998; 2(4): 263-264.
5. Bass J.B. The tuberculin test. IN: Reichman L.B.,
Hershfield E.S. (eds.). Tuberculosis: A Comprehensive
International Approach. Marcel Dekker, New York, 1993.
6. Furcolow M.L., Howell B., Nelson W.E., and Palmer C.EE.,
Quantitative studies of the tuberculin reaction I. Titration
of tuberculin sensitivity and its relation to tuberculous
infection. Public Health Reports 1941; 56: 1082.
7. L. Teixeira, E. Maciel, M.E. Dutra, M.D. Perkins, J.L.
Johnson, V. do Valle Dettoni; Simultaneous comparison of
reactivity to purified protein derivative RT-23 and Tubersol
in health care workers in Vitoria, Brazil; Int J Tuberc Lung
Dis 2000; 4(11): 1074-1077.
8. Core Curriculum on Tuberculosis, What the Clinician
Should Know: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Center for HIV, STD, and TB Prevention Division
of Tuberculosis Elimination; Fourth Edition, April 2000.
9. Lifschitz M. The value of the tuberculin skin test as a
screening test for tuberculosis among BCG-vaccinated
children. Pediatrics 1965; 36: 624-627.
10. Landi S, Ashley MJ, Grzybowski S. Tuberculin sensitivity
following the intradermal and puncture methods of BCG
vaccination. Can Med Assoc J 1967; 97: 222-225.
11. Joncas JH, Robitaille R, Gauthier T. Interpretation of the
PPD skin test in BCG-vaccinated children. Can Med Assoc
J 1975; 113: 127-128.
12. Chan L.T. Jr.; Marcelo M,; Chiong J.; A Proposed Scoring
System for Childhood Pulmonary Tuberculosis: Philippine
Journal of Pediatrics, Vol. 45 No.1 January-March 1995.
13. Menzies R, Vissanjee B, Amyot D. Factors associated with
tuberculin reactivity among the foreign-born in Montreal.
Am Rev Respir Dis. 1992; 146: 752-756.
14. Chan LT Jr., Tan M., Chiong J, Estabillo - Tavu T; The
validation of the Chan scoring system for childhood
pulmonary tuberculosis, The Philippine Journal of
Pediatrics, vol. 46 No. 4, Oct.Dec. 1997.
15. Fox AS, Lepow ML. Tuberculin skin testing in Vietnamese
refugees with a history of BCG vaccination. Am J Dis
Child. 1983; 137: 1093-1094.
16. Streeton, Desem & Jones. Sensitivity and specificity of a
gamma interferon blood test for tuberculosis infection. Int
J Tuberc Lung Dis. 1998 Jun; 2(6): 443-450.
17. American Thoracic Society/Centers for Disease Control:
Statement Committee on Latent Tuberculosis Infection;
Targeted Tuberculin Testing and Treatment of Latent
Tuberculosis Infection; June 2000.
18. Smith MHD, Starke JR, Marquis JR. Tuberculosis
and opportunistic mycobacterial infections. In: Feigin
RD, Cherry JD, eds. Textbook of Pediatric Infectious
Diseases, 2 vols, 3rd ed. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders Co,
1992: 1321-1362.
19. Steiner P, Rao M, Victoria MS, et al. Persistently negative

tuberculin reactions. Am J Dis Child. 1980, 134: 747750.
20. Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).
1994. General recommendations on immunization.
MMWR 43:15.
21. National Consensus on Childhood Tuberculosis,
Classification of Tuberculosis, 1997.
22 . Talento AZ, Soriano RB and Beltran G. Tuberculin test
reactivity in children 0-5 yrs old. A community-based
study (Unpublished).
23. Bunyi MA, Soriano RB and Beltran GL. The validity
of purified protein derivative tuberculin skin test using
5 TU in detecting tuberculosis among Filipino school
children.
24. Tupasi T; The 1997 National Tuberculosis Prevalence
Survey: Final Report.
25. Personal communication with Dr. Fe del Mundo, Founder
and President, Center for Tuberculosis in Children,
Philippines, 2003.
26. Sackett DL, Haynes RB, TugwII P: Clinical Epidemiology:
A Basic Science for Clinical Medicine. Boston, Little
Brown and Company, 1985.
27. Fletcher RH, Fletcher SW, Wagner EH; Clinical
Epidemiology - The Essentials. Baltimore, Williams &
Wilkins, 1987.
28. Johnson H, Lee B, Kelly E, McDonnell T Tuberculin
sensitivity and the BCG scar in tuberculosis contacts.
Tuber Lung Dis 1995; 35: 113-7
29. Chan, L.T. Jr., Nieva.W. H. Jr., Galindez, G., del Mundo,
F, The Positive Cut-Off Size for Tuberculin Reactivity
in Children with Tuberculosis Infection and Disease.
Unpublished

CPM 7th EDITION
Diagnosis of Tuberculosis in Children

I. Overview
The diagnosis of childhood tuberculosis is especially
difficult compared to that in the adult. It has been
referred to as the missing diagnosis mainly because
of the occurrence of asymptomatic infection and early
disease. Moreover, definitive diagnosis by culture of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis is even more difficult because of its paucibacillary character and the difficulty
in collection of specimen. Demonstration of acid-fast
bacilli on microscopy and/or tuberculous histologic
changes on biopsy provide only presumptive diagnosis
in the absence of positive culture. Radiologic exa-mination is often equivocal.
Daniel1 reviewed the approaches to the diagnosis of
mycobacterial disease. Diagnostic tests are based
either on recognition of the infecting agent or on
recognition of the host response to the agent (see Table 3). For those based on recognition of the agent,
there are direct methods that do not employ prior
am-plification such as direct sputum smear, rapid
culture (BACTEC) and tuberculostearic acid detection. Those that employ amplification include sputum
smear after short-term culture, ultraviolet microscopy
with f luorescence stains, short-term culture with
antigen detection by immunoassay, and polymerase
chain reaction.
Table 3. Approaches to the rapid diagnosis of tuber
culosis (modified from Daniel1)
I.Recognition of the Infecting Organism
A.Without amplication
1. Direct (unconcentrated) sputum smear
a. Light microscopy
b. Fluorescence microscopy
2.Rapid culture (BACTEC
3.Tuberculostearic acid detection
B.With amplification
Sputum smear after short-term culture
Ultraviolet microscopy with fluorescence
stains
Short-term culture with antigen detection
by immunoassay
Polymerase chain reaction
II.Recognition of the Host Response
A. Immunologic test
1.Tuberculin test
2.BCG test
B. Chest radiology
C. Serodiagnosis (ELISA)
Recognition of host response is best illustrated in the

tuberculin and BCG tests. Other means include serology and chest radiology. The introduction of ELISA
and development of more specific antigens (recognized
by monoclonal antibody) have improved serodiagnosis
tremendously.
The National Consensus on Childhood Tuberculosis
(1997) confirms the ATS statement that a positive
culture with or without a positive smear for M. tuberculosis is the gold standard for the diagnosis of TB and
must be sought for whenever possible. In the absence
of bacteriologic evidence, however, a child is presumed
to have active TB if 3 or more of the following criteria are present as discussed in Radiologic Findings in
Tuberculosis:
1. exposure to an adult/adolescent with active TB
disease (EPIDEMIOLOGIC)
2. signs and symptoms suggestive of TB (CLINICAL)
3. positive tuberculin (Mantoux) test (IMMUNO
LOGIC)
4. abnormal chest radiograph suggestive of TB
(RADIOLOGIC)
5. laboratory findings suggestive of TB (histo-logical, cytological, biochemical, immunological
and/or molecular) (LABORATORY)
II. PPS Consensus: Criteria for Diagnosis

1.Epidemiologic Considerations
Every effort must be made to establish a history of
exposure to tuberculosis. In a great majority of childhood tuberculosis, the source of infection is the parent,
grandparent or caregiver. The Filipino family being an
extended one, inquiry must be made on all possible case
contacts to include all relatives and close friends who
were in contact with the patient.
The younger the child, the more probable that the
source of infection is in the home, among close
household contacts. Many older children are infected
by outside sources such as teachers, group leaders or
young adults. Widespread infection may develop from
a single active case at school or a day-care home for
children.
2. Clinical Manifestation
Many children with primary tuberculosis are asymptomatic in early disease or may present with minor
constitutional manifestations of low grade fever, lassitude, easy fatigability, anorexia, weight loss, malaise
and night sweats, which are protean and common to
many illnesses.

CPM 7 th EDITION

Physical findings are also nonspecific and localizing

symptoms may be absent even in the presence of extensive disease. There are however, clinical findings
compatible with tuberculosis such as relatively painless
lymphadenitis, meningitis with insidious onset, gibbus,
skin granuloma, erythema nodosum, and phlyctenular
conjunctivitis. Their presence suggest tuberculous
disease and warrant work-up to confirm the diagnosis.
Using lymph node fine needle aspiration in a study
of children with cervical lymphadenopathy, Santos 2
found that in those with tuberculous etiology, cervical
lymph nodes measuring more than 2 cm numbered at
least two, were matted and doughy, and were not accompanied by fever or local inflammatory reaction. In
contrast, in those with bacterial (non-mycobacterial)
etiology, there were less neck nodes involved, and these
were commonly submandibular in location and associated with signs of infection such as fever, leuko-cytosis,
local inflammatory reaction and an apparent focus of
infection.
For more detailed discussion, please refer to Clinical
Manifestations of Tuberculosis.
3. Immunologic Evidence of Infection
A.Tuberculin Skin Test
The only means of making a diagnosis of tuberculosis
infection without disease is through a tuberculin skin
test. This test is based on the fact that infection with
M.tuberculosis produces sensitivity to certain components of this organism (antigens or specifically, tuberculins). The reaction to intracutaneously injected tuberculin is that of a delayed cellular hypersensitivity.
A significant reaction means that hypersensitivity
to mycobacteria has developed, but does not necessarily signify the presence of disease. Clinically, a
delayed hypersensitivity reaction to tuberculin is
nearly always a manifestation of previous infection
with M. tuberculosis or a variety of nontuberculous
myco-bacteria or a previous BCG vaccination It can
antedate isolation of M. tuberculosis from sputum or
other specimens.
Characteristic features of this reaction include : a delayed course, reaching its peak 48-72 hours after the
administration of tuberculin; an indurated character
largely because of its cellular infiltration; occasionally, vesiculation and necrosis can occur. Interpretation of tuberculin skin test reaction is dictated by the
purpose for which the test was given and on the consequences of false classification. A variety of factors host, antigen used, method of administration, reading
and recording - can cause decreased ability to respond
to tuberculin or yield a false negative test.
The tuberculin test is the most important diagnostic

tool in tuberculosis, be it recent or remote, active or
inactive. In the time-table of tuberculosis it is this
biochemical alteration in the tissues of the host that
precedes, by a comfortable margin of time ranging from
several months to even years the clinical, the bacteriologic and radiologic evidence of the disease.
M Pardo de Tavera (1975)
(1) Mantoux Test
The current standard for tuberculin skin test is the

Mantoux test which is the intradermal administration
of 0.1 mL of solution containing 0.1 mcg or 5 TU
(tuberculin units) of PPD (purified protein derivative).
Data from developed countries estimate the sensitivity
and specificity of the test to be about 90% although
specificity can vary greatly with the rate of environmental nontuberculous mycobacteria. Locally, it has
been shown to have a sensitivity ranging from 19-41%
and a specificity of 77-100%. A negative Mantoux test
result does not rule out tuberculous infection or disease
in a child known to have been exposed to a diseased
household contact.
The rationale, principles, technique of administration
and interpretation are discussed thoroughly in Tuberculin Skin Test.
(2) Multiple Puncture Test (Tine Test)
This test has been considered by the 1997 National Consensus to be of no value because of
inaccuracy and lack of standardization, based on
recommendations by the Center for Disease Control,
the American Thoracic Society and the American
Academy of Pediatrics.
B. Accelerated BCG Reaction or "BCG Test"
An accelerated BCG reaction produces an induration of
at least 5 mm 48-72 hours after vaccination, a pustule in
5-7 days, or healing of BCG lesion within 2-3 weeks.
Rivera 3 showed the test to have 97% sensitivity and
100% specificity. The diagnosis was established in this
study through chest radiographs. In a similar study, de
la Pena and Poblete 4 reported a sensitivity of 82% and
a specificity of 81%.
The 1997 Philippine Consensus does not recommend
the routine use of live attenuated BCG vaccine in the
diagnosis of TB in children.
4. Radiologic Findings
There are no pathognomomic radiographic findings in
childhood tuberculosis. Neither the presence or absence
of the primary disease can be conclusively determined
from the chest film alone. Perhaps the only radiographic
finding that may be highly suggestive of tuberculosis
in infants and children is the uniform stippling of both
CPM 7th EDITION
lungs found in miliary tuberculosis.

To appreciate the primary complex on chest radiograph,
a lateral projection is necessary. With frontal pro-jections alone, the different components of the primary
complex may be obscured by the heart and other structures. Partially calcified mediastinal nodes sometimes
lie in the midsaggital thoracic plane and may be visible
only on lateral films.
A variety of diseases and conditions may be mistaken
for tuberculosis. Sarcoidosis and mycotic infections
produce shadows in the lung that resemble TB. Tuberculous lobar and lobular consolidations may be
indistinguishable from that due to pneumococcal or
streptococcal disease.
5. Laboratory Examinations
Laboratory findings suggestive of tuberculosis by
diagnostic mycobacteriology, histological, cytological, biochemical, immunological and/or molecular
tests are discussed separately in Diagnostic Tests for
Tuberculosis.
Reference:
1. Daniel TM. The rapid diagnosis of tuberculosis: A selective
review. J Lab Clin Med 1990; 1:277-282.
2. Santos AMB, Magno AH and Lecciones J: Cervical
lymphadenitis in Filipino children: the dilemma of
etiologic diagnosis. (Unpublished)
3. Reyes-Rivera CT: BCG test: a diagnostic tool for
tuberculosis. Phil J Pediatr 1986; 35: 37-44.
4. De la Pena, Poblete Tuberculosis in Infancy and Children
1993.

CPM 7 th EDITION

Management of Tuberculosis in Children
I. Principles of Therapy
The successful management of tuberculosis depends
upon an understanding of the pathophysiology of the
disease. The need for multiple drugs and prolonged
duration of therapy is explained by the following characteristics of the causative organism 1:
(1) Naturally occurring drug resistant mutants are
present within large bacterial populations even
before chemotherapy is started.
(2) Mycobacteria replicate slowly, can remain
dormant for prolonged periods, and can be
eradicated only during replication.
(3) Bacilli live in several sites within the host, and
each site contains organisms with a different
population size, metabolic activity and rep-lication rate.
slowly or irregularly dividing bacilli, sterilizes lesions

and prevents relapse.
Adherence to therapy is still the major issue de-termining the effectiveness of drug treatment. Several
strategies have thus been explored to decrease treatment costs and promote patient compliance. In both
adults and children, numerous trials have proven the
efficacy of short-course, 6-month chemotherapy for
drug-susceptible pulmonary tuberculosis. Efforts to
shorten the duration of therapy to even fewer than 6
months, however, have been associated with significant
relapse rates4. Intermittent, twice- or thrice-weekly administration of drugs has been shown to be as effective
and safe as a daily schedule 5,6. What is to be the most
cost-effective strategy, however, is directly-observed
treatment (DOTS)7.
Controlled clinical trials have thus demonstrated the

following principles, on which treatment recom-mendations are based 2:
(1) Treatment of disease must contain multiple
drugs to which the organisms are susceptible.
(2) Drugs must be taken regularly.
(3) Drug therapy must continue for a sufficient
length of time. These therapeutic principles are
valid regardless of the age of the patient.
Table 4 shows the initial empiric therapy of TB in infants, children and adolescents 9.
However, several characteristics unique to children need

to be considered in their treatment 3.
(1) The pharmacokinetics of various antituber
culosis drugs are different in children.
(2) Children generally have fewer mycobacterial
organisms and are thus less likely to develop
secondary drug resistance.
(3) Extrapulmonary disease is more common in
children; medications used must therefore
penetrate specific body sites and tissues.
(4) Children tolerate higher doses of antituber
culous medications per kilogram of body weight
with fewer side effects.
(5) There may be s need to modify medications
to a form that children can tolerate, which can
cause problems with stability, bioavailability
and compliance.
II. Chemotherapy
Present treatment regimens consist of multiple drugs

given simultaneously. Since mutant organisms naturally resistant to multiple drugs are extremely rare,
this strategy decreases the likelihood of selecting out
drug-resistant organisms and prevents the emergence
of resistance. An initial intensive phase (consisting
of more than two drugs) promotes efficient killing of
actively dividing organisms and leads to the rapid reduction of large bacillary populations. A longer continuation phase (using fewer drugs) then follows, which kills
Treatment can only be successful within the framework of overall clinical and social management of
patients and their contacts; the ultimate elimination of
tuberculosis requires an organized and smoothly functioning network of primary and referral services based
on cooperation between the private and public sectors
of medical care. 8
Anti-tuberculosis drugs have traditionally been classified as first-line drugs, with superior efficacy and
acceptable toxicity or second-line drugs, having either
less efficacy, greater toxicity or both. Isoniazid (INH),
rifampicin, pyrazinamide (PZA), streptomycin, and
ethambutol are all classified as first-line drugs: except
for ethambutol, these are all bactericidal agents. A
special concern for the pediatric age group is the bioavailability of suspensions used for therapy, which can
have a significant impact on patient response.
Table 5 lists the essential antituberculosis drugs including details on the mechanisms of action, dosing, and
adverse effects associated with these agents.
Ethionamide, prothionamide, cycloserine, kanamycin,
capreomycin, thiacetazone and para-aminosalicylic
acid (PAS) are classified as second-line agents, and are
used as alternatives when there is either resistance or
hypersensitivity to first-line drugs. Unfortunately, none
of these drugs are locally available.
Quinolones are also classified as second-line agents and
have been demonstrated to be bactericidal against TB
bacilli. Ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin and sparfloxacin are
among the most studied of the quinolones, which are
presumed to act by inhibition of DNA gyrase. Because
CPM 7th EDITION
Table 4 Initial Empiric Therapy in Infants, Children and Adolescents9

Category Regimen Remarks
Class I TB exposure*

< 5 years
3

5 years
Class II TB infection
PPD conversion within past 1-2
years, (-) CXR
PPD (+) not due to BCG, (-) CXR,
(-) previous treatment
PPD (+) with stable / healed lesion,
(-) previous treatment
PPD (+) with stable / healed lesion,
(+) previous treatment, at risk of
reactivation due to:
(a) Measles, pertussis, etc
(b) Conditions / drugs inducing
immunosuppression (IDDM,
leukemia, chronic dialysis)
HIV infection / persons at risk for
infection but HIV status unknown
Class III TB Disease
Pulmonary
(a) Fully susceptible: based on
culture results of index case,
(-) previous treatment, <10%
local prevalence of primary INH
resistance
(b) Susceptibility unknown or
initial drug resistance suspected
because of big bacillary population, previous treatment ( 3
1 month), close contact with
resistant source case, residence
in area with 10% primary INH
resistance
Extrapulmonary
(a) Severe, life-threatening disease:
disseminated/miliary, meningitis, bone/ joint disease
(b) Other pulmonary sites
3 months INH
Immediate prophylaxis controversial

for those 35 years, but is recommended
by some experts specially if with risk
factors e.g. malnutrition, immuno
compromised states
For both groups, re-evaluate and classify
as infection/disease after 3 months and
revise treatment accordingly
9 months INH
In the presence of primary INH resistance, use rifampicin
9 months INH
9 months INH
1-2 months
For the duration of im-munosuppression
12 months INH
2 months HRZ once daily, Streptomycin preferred in children < 6

followed by 4 months, HR
years of age, where visual acuity / color
given once daily or as DOT
perception cannot be monitored reli3x weekly
ably
2 months HRZ plus E or S
once daily, followed by 4 In immunocompromised patients, conmonths HR + E / S given
tinuation phase extended to 7 months
once daily or as DOT 3x
(total duration of therapy: 9 months)
weekly
or for at least 6 months after sputum
conversion (if applicable), whichever
is longer. If susceptibility results unavailable, continue E / S for the entire
duration of therapy
2 months HRZ + E or S
followed by 10 months HR Corticosteroids (usually prednisone at
+ E / S given once daily or
1 mkday for 6-8 weeks with gradual
as DOT 3x weekly
tapering) beneficial for the following:
Same regimen as pulmomeningitis, pericarditis, pleuritis, endo
nary disease
*See Algorithm for Preventive Therapy of Childhood Tuberculosis

Philippine Pediatric Society, Pediatric Infectious Disease Society of the Philippines, Philippine Coalition Against Tuberculosis, National Consensus on Childhood Tuberculosis, 1997.

CPM 7 th EDITION

Table 5. Essential Antituberculosis Drug10,11,12

Drug
INH
Rifampicin
Mechanism
of Action
Bactericidal agent
Acts on extra- and
intra-cellular bacil
lary
populations
Presumed to inhibit
biosynthesis of mycolic acid (cell wall
component) and affects glycolysis, nucleic acid syn-thesis
Dose (mg/kg)
2-3x/week
(DOT)
Daily
5-10
max
300
mg
max
300
mg
10-15
Bactericidal agent
Acts on extra- and
intra-cellular bacil max
600
lary populations
Inhibits nucleic acid mg
synthesis
Bactericidal
Other Comments
Peripheral neuropathy: pyri

doxine supplementation (10
mg daily) if with seizure disorders, diabetes or mal-nutrition
Other neurological disturbanceoptic neuritis, toxic psychosis,
generalized convulsions: less
common
Systemic or cutaneous hyper
sensitivity reactions during the
first weeks of treatment
Hepatotoxicity: may need
to discontinue INH if with
symptoms of hepatitis or if
transaminase levels increase
>3-5x from upper limits of
normal
Rapidly absorbed orally or parenterally

Diffuses well into all fluids/ tissues
Absorption decreased by aluminum hydroxide
Increases plasma concentrations
of phenytoin, carbamazepine
Routine monitoring of trans
aminases not believed to be
necessary in children
Protect drug from light
Gastrointestinal intolerance:
may be severe
If intermittent administration:
rash, fever, thrombocytopenia,
flu-like symptoms
Increased risk of hepatotoxicity
if used with INH: recommend
INH at 5-10 mg/kg/day and
rifampicin 10-15 mg/kg/day
when given together
Rapidly absorbed from the GIT

in the fasting state
Diffuses well into all fluids/ tissues
May produce reddish coloration
of urine, tears, saliva, sputum
Induces hepatic enzymes: may
increase dose requirements of
corticosteroids, contraceptives,
oral hypoglycemics, oral anti
coagulants, dapsone, phenytoin,
digitalis glycosides
Resistance rapidly develops:
must always be used with other
anti-TB drugs
Readily absorbed from GIT
Rapidly distributed to all fluids/
tissues
Monitor glucose levels carefully
if patient is diabetic
<12 yrs >12 yrs <12 yrs >12 yrs
10
max
600
mg
P y r a z i n a - Weakly bactericidal 15-30

mide
but with potent steri- max
2g
lizing activity within
macropha-ges, areas
of acute inflammation
Streptomycin
Adverse Reactions
20-40
15
max max
900 900
mg mg
10-20
10
max max
600 600
mg mg
50-70
max
4g
Hypersensitivity reactions:
rare
Moderate rises in transaminase
levels common in early phase
of treatment; may normalize
even if drug is continued
Hyperuricemia; occasional
reports of gout
Arthralgia, particularly of
shoulders
Sterile abscess
Diffuses well into extracellular
Vestibular, auditory function
compartment of most body tisimpairment
sues, tuberculous cavities; little
Hemolytic anemia, lupoid
enters CSF
reactions: rare
Do not give together with other
nephrotoxic, ototoxic drugs
Monitor renal function and reduce dose by 50%, if dec-reased
urine output, (+) casts/albumin in
urine
Retrobulbar neuritis (reduced Oral dose: 80% absorbed
visual acuity, contraction of Dose reduction recommended if
visual fields, green-red color
with renal disease
blindness): not usually seen at Should not be given to children
recommended doses
6 years because cannot reliably
monitor visual acuity
20-30
15
25-30
max
1g
max
1g
If 2x/wk:
max 1.5 g
If 3x/wk:
max 1 g
Bacteriostatic, but 15-25 15-25 50 (2x wkly)

30 (3x wkly)
with some bacterici for
max
dal action at higher 1st
2 mos 2.5 g max 2.5 g
doses
Acts on extra- and then
15
intracellular bacil
lary populations
Presumed to inhibit
biosynthesis of my
colic acid (cell wall
component)
CPM 7th EDITION
of concerns about toxicity, their use is limited in children

and are included mainly in regimens for multi-drug
resistant tuberculosis.
III. Preventive Therapy

Prophylaxis aims to prevent the development of infection among contacts exposed to active disease (primary prophylaxis), as well as to prevent progression
to disease among those already infected (secondary
prophylaxis). Primary prophylaxis is recommended for
children under 5 years or among those with other risk
factors for rapid development of disease, since disease
may set in even before conversion of the tuberculin skin
test. On the other hand, several well-controlled studies
have demonstrated the favorable effect of INH on reduction of complications due to lymphohematogenous and
pulmonary spread after infection The protective effect of
INH in the latter situation has been shown to last from
19 to 30 years 13.
The Algorithm for Preventive Therapy of Childhood
Tuberculosis illustrates the approach to prophylaxis as
proposed in the1997 National Consensus on Childhood
Tuberculosis.
The role of corticosteroids as an adjunct in the management of childhood tuberculosis from the National
Consensus on Childhood Tuberculosis, 1997, is summarized in Appendix 2.
References:
1. American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Infectious
Diseases. Chemotherapy for tuberculosis in infants and
children. Pediatrics 1992; 89 (1): 161-165.
2 . American Thoracic Society and The Centers for Disease
Control. Treatment of tuberculosis and tuberculosis
infection in adults and children. Am J Respir Critic Care
Med 1994 May; 149 (5): 1359-1374.
3. Rom WN and Stuart Garay, eds. Tuberculosis. 1996
Boston: Little, Brown and Co. p 683.
4. Rom WN and Stuart Garay, eds. Tuberculosis. 1996
Boston: Little, Brown and Co. p 758.
6. Philippine Pediatric Society, Pediatric Infectious
Disease Society of the Philippines, Philippine Coalition
Against Tuberculosis. National Consensus on Childhood
Tuberculosis. 1997. Manila. p 40.
7. World Health Organization. 1997. Treatment of
Tuberculosis: Guidelines for National Programmes.
Geneva: World Health Organization. p 14.
8. American Thoracic Society and The Centers for Disease
Control. Treatment of tuberculosis and tuberculosis
infection in adults and children. Am J Respir Critic Care
Med 1994 May; 149 (5): 1359-1374.
Tuberculosis. 1997. Manila.
10. PPS Handbook, 1st ed (1993).

13. Starke JR and Magaret HD Smith. 1998. Tuberculosis.
In Feigin RD and JD Cherry, eds. Textbook of Pediatric
Infectious Diseases 4th ed. Philadelphia: WB Saunders
Co. p 1225.

CPM 7 th EDITION

Appendix 1.
WHO DISEASE CLASSIFICATION AND THE

NATIONAL TB CONTROL PROGRAM
Confirmation of tuberculosis in children by AFB smear
and/or culture is very limited. Diagnosis relies on a set
of five (5) criteria adopted by the 1997 National Consensus on Childhood Tuberculosis: positive exposure
(epidemiologic), suggestive signs and symptoms (clinical), positive tuberculin test (immunologic), abnormal
chest radiograph (radiologic), and suggestive laboratory findings (laboratory). These criteria, discussed
in Diagnosis of Tuberculosis in Children, are based on
the natural course and spectrum of tuberculosis from
exposure to infection to disease. A child is presumed
to have active disease if 3 or more of these criteria are
present.
I. WHO Provisional Guidelines for Diagnosis of
Pulmonary TB in Children
The WHO Guidelines further clarify the diagnostic assessment to strengthen the clinical impression and guide
decision-making regarding the need for therapy. Table 4
on page 101 provides the initial empiric therapy in infants, children and adolescents according to the category
of Exposure (Class I), Infection (Class II) and Disease
(Class III). (See Table 6.)
II. The National Tuberculosis Control Program
Under the National TB Control Program, TB patients,
be they new or old cases, are classified according to
TB Treatment Category I, II, II, IV with their definition according to diagnostic and therapeutic status and
the appropriate therapy (initial and continuation phase)
with isoniazid (H), rifampicin (R), pyrazinamide (Z),
ethambutol (E) or streptomycin (S). (See Table 7.)
Table 6. World Health Organization Provisional

Guidelines for the Diagnosis of Pulmonary Tuberculosis in Children 1
A. Suspect Tuberculosis
1. An ill child with a history of contact with a
confirmed case of pulmonary tuberculosis
2. Any child:
2.1 Not regaining normal health after measles
or whooping cough
2.2 With loss of weight, cough and wheeze
not responding to antibiotic therapy for
respiratory disease
2.3 With painless swelling in a group of superficial nodes
B. Probable Tuberculosis
1. Positive ( > 10 mm) induration on tuberculin
testing
2. Suggestive appearances on chest radiograph
3. Suggestive histologic appearance of biopsy material
4. Favorable response to specific antituberculous therapy
C. Confirmed Tuberculosis
1. Detection by microscopy or culture of
tubercle bacilli from secretions or tissues or,
2. The identification of the tubercle bacilli
References:
1. World Health Organization. Provisional guidelines for
the diagnosis and classification of the EPI target diseases
for primary health care, surveillance and special studies.
EPI/GEN/83/4,1993
2. World Health Organization. Treatment of tuberculosis. Guidelines for national programmes. World
Health Organization, Geneva, 1997. WHO/TB/97.
220: 1-77
Table 7. World Health Organization. Treatment of Tuberculosis. Guidelines for national programmes2
TB Treament Category
Diagnostic and/or Therapeutic Status of TB Patient
Initial Phase
Continuation
Phase
New smear-positive TB;

Smear-negative with extensive parenchymal lesion;
New severe extrapulmonary TB
2 HRZE
4 HR
II
Previously treated smear-positive TB;

Relapse;
Treatment failure;
Treatment after interruption
2 HRES/1 HRZE
5 HRE
III
New smear- negative pulmonary TB;

Less severe extrapulmonary TB
2 HRZ
4 HR
IV
Chronic cases
Refer to specialized
CPM 7th EDITION
Appendix 2
CORTICOSTEROIDS AS ADJUNCT THERAPY IN TUBERCULOSIS

The National Consensus on Childhood Tuberculosis
states (the full discussion is reproduced here, thus):
Corticosteroids are beneficial as an adjunct in the
management of complicated childhood tuberculosis
especially when the host inflammatory response
contributes significantly to tissue damage or impaired
function. There is convincing evidence that cortico
steroids are useful in addition to the antituberculosis
drugs if suppression of inflammatory response is
desired as in the following situations:
1.Tuberculous Meningitis: There are considerable
evidences that point to the beneficial effect of corticosteroids especially in the second and third stages
of TB meningitis. Corticosteroids help in reducing
vasculitis, inflammation and ultimately intracranial
pressure. Lowering the intracranial pressure limits
the tissue damage and favors circulation of antituberculous drugs through the brain and meninges.
Likewise, it has been proven to have lowered the
mortality rates as well as the long term neurologic
sequelae among the survivors.
2.Tuberculous Pericarditis: Corticosteroids can
relieve cardiac tamponade within hours and prevent constriction if given early together with anti
tuberculosis drugs.
3.Tuberculous Pleuritis: Corticosteroids hasten
the resorption of pleural fluid. Symptomatic relief
of respiratory embarassment as a consequence
of mediastinal shift may be dramatic with the use of
corticosteroid in conjunction with anti-tuberculosis
drugs, although the long term sequelae of pleural
thickening may not be altered with or without steroid
therapy.
4. Endobronchial Tuberculosis: Corticosteroids are
most helpful when the enlarged mediastinal and hilar
lymph nodes compress on the tracheo-bronchial tree
resulting in respiratory distress, localized emphyse
ma and/or collapsed-consolidation lesions. Clinical
improvement is observed as early as ten days and
radiologic improvement in three weeks if cortico
steroids are given together with antituberculosis
drugs before the fourth month of illness. However,
if caseation is already advanced, corticosteroids will
be of little benefit.
5. Miliary Tuberculosis: Corticosteroids give sig
nificant benefit to patients with miliary tuberculosis
wherein the inflammatory response is so severe as to
cause alveolocapillary block with cyanosis.
The most commonly used corticosteroid is predni
sone given at a dose of 1 mg/kg/day for six to eight
weeks with gradual withdrawal.
Dexamethasone is also favored by some experts, e.g.

among neurologists, but no comparative trials have
been published For other adjunct therapies such as
carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, osmotic agents, please
refer to standard textbooks of Neurology, Pediatrics
or Medicine.
Reference
1. National Consensus on Childhood Tuberculosis. What
is the role of corticosteroids as an adjunct in the manage
ment of childhood tuberculosis? PPS, 1997:64-65. (11
references)

CPM 7 th EDITION

Drugs Mentioned in the Treatment Guideline
This index lists drugs/drug classifications mentioned in the treatment guideline. Prescribing information of these
drugs can be found in PPD reference systems.
Antituberculosis
Ethambutol
Am-Europharma
Ethambutol HCl
Biogenerics
Ethambutol
Odetol
Pharex Ethambutol
Ethambutol/Isoniazid/
Vit B6
Alveodril/
Alveodril Forte
Ebutol
EMB Forte
Etham 500
Ethambin-INH
Ethamizid
Ethi 400
Fevram
Forbutol
Norvit Plus
Pacibutol
Ethambutol/Isoniazid/
Rifampicin
Myrin
Ethambutol/Rifampicin/
Isoniazid/Pyrazinamide
4D
Econokit
Econokit-MDR
Myrin-P Forte
Quadtab
Rimstar 4
Pyrazinamide/Vitamins
Continukit Plus
Pyrazinamide/Isoniazid/
Vitamins
SCC Kit
Viper
Isobutol
Bisobutol
Isobutol/Rifampicin/
Pyrazinamide
Molecure 1 & 2
Isoniazid
Am-Europharma
Isoniazid
Bacciter
Biogenerics Isoniazid
Curazid Forte
Norvit
Pharex Isoniazid
UL Isoniazid 400
Isoniazid/Rifampicin
Continupack
Isoniazid/Vit B6
Comprilex Pediatric Syrup

Isoxin
Koccid
Nicetal
Norvit Plus
Odinah
Therabacule
Trisofort
Trisovit
UL Isoniazid 400
Isoniazid/Vitamins
Trisofort
Trisovit
Pyrazinamide
Am-Europharma
Pyrazinamide
Biogenerics Pyrazinamide
Drugmaker's Biotech
Pyrazinamide
Mycobak
Pharex Pyrazinamide
Pyramin
Pyrasol
PZA-Ciba
RiteMED Pyrazinamide
Zapedia
Zcure
Zinaplex
Rifampicin
Am-Europharma
Rifampicin
Biogenerics Rifampicin
Carfamin
Crisarfarm
Dipicin
Drugmaker's Biotech

Rifampicin
Fampisec
Fevram
Koccifam
Lypro-cap
Medifam
Natricin Forte
Odifam
Pharex Rifampicin
PMI Rifampicin
Ramicin
Refam
Rexilan
Ricyn
Rifadin
Rifamax
Rimactane
Rimaped
RiteMED
Rifampicin
Tubercox
Rifampicin/Isoniazid
Bifix
Continupack
Kidz Kit 2
Rifinah
Rifzin
Rimactazid 225/
Rimactazid 300/
Rimactazid 450/
Rimactazid 600
Rifampicin/Isoniazid/
Ethambutol
Combikids
Combi Pack
Continukit
TRES
Tri-Pack
Tritab
Rifampicin/Isoniazid/
Pyrazinamide
Bio Combi Pack 1/
Bio Combi Pack 2
CPM 7th EDITION
Econopack
Econopack-TDR
Kidz Kit 3
M-O-P/M-O Compliance Pack
Rifater
Streptomycin
YSS Streptomycin Sulfate
Corticosteroids
Prednisone
Drazone
Drugmaker's Biotech Prednisone
GXI Prednisone
Orasone 5/Orasone 20
Organon Prednisone
Pred 5/10/50
Roidrenal

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Philippine Pediatric Society, Inc.

32 Misamis St., Bago Bantay, Quezon City

TB IN INFANCY & CHILDHOOD-Excerpts from PPS Handbook on Childhood TB

Council on Community Service and

Genesis C. Rivera, M.D.

Committee on Handbook on Childhood

Margaret T. Lu-Fong, M.D.

Maria Anna P. Baez, M.D.

Ma. Cecilia G. Ama, M.D.

Lino Ed Lim, M.D

Fe Del Mundo, M.D.

CPM 7th EDITION

TB IN INFANCY & CHILDHOOD-Excerpts from PPS Handbook on Childhood TB

Algorithm for Preventive Therapy of Childhood

< 5 yrs old?

Start INH for

PPS, PIDSP, PhilCAT, National Consensus on Children

TB IN INFANCY & CHILDHOOD-Excerpts from PPS Handbook on Childhood TB

II. Incubation Period

activity of macrophage comprises cell-mediated immunity2,3,4.

CPM 7th EDITION

TB IN INFANCY & CHILDHOOD-Excerpts from PPS Handbook on Childhood TB

Ghon complex . Other authors describe the Ghon

The timetable shows that the first 5 years after initial

Figure 1. Wallgren's timetable of tuberculosis (Modified from Feigin1)

TB IN INFANCY & CHILDHOOD-Excerpts from PPS Handbook on Childhood TB

Class II (TB Infection)

Mycobacterium tuberculosis can produce infection and

The following classification was adopted by the National

Class I (TB Exposure)

(+) History of exposure

CPM 7th EDITION

TB IN INFANCY & CHILDHOOD-Excerpts from PPS Handbook on Childhood TB

Class III (TB Disease)

Class IV (TB Inactive)

Disease categories according to the WHO classification

II. Clinical Forms of Tuberculosis

TB IN INFANCY & CHILDHOOD-Excerpts from PPS Handbook on Childhood TB

Signs and symptoms include moderately high fever,

Clinical symptoms may start acutely or insidiously,

CPM 7th EDITION

TB IN INFANCY & CHILDHOOD-Excerpts from PPS Handbook on Childhood TB

cardial fluid should be inoculated directly into guinea

TB IN INFANCY & CHILDHOOD-Excerpts from PPS Handbook on Childhood TB

mortality from TB. It is frequently seen in the first six

From the primary site, the tubercle bacilli reach the

disease; however, only in a small minority of patients

Computed tomography14 or MRI of the brain has its

CPM 7th EDITION

TB IN INFANCY & CHILDHOOD-Excerpts from PPS Handbook on Childhood TB

tion or compression of the portal vein giving rise to

TB IN INFANCY & CHILDHOOD-Excerpts from PPS Handbook on Childhood TB

Manifestations in children are based on classification

usually clustered on the limbus and surrounded by

Renal tuberculosis is an uncommon complication of

CPM 7th EDITION

TB IN INFANCY & CHILDHOOD-Excerpts from PPS Handbook on Childhood TB

diagnosis of chronic otitis media in TB patients, or in

III. Children with Tuberculosis in Special Situations