Title
Feasibility of the string test for tuberculosis diagnosis in children between 4 and 14 years old
Date Issued
15 November 2018
Access level
open access
Resource Type
journal article
Author(s)
Tafur K.T.
Coit J.
Leon S.R.
Pinedo C.
Chiang S.S.
Contreras C.
Mendoza M.J.
Franke M.F.
Publisher(s)
BioMed Central Ltd.
Abstract
Background: The enteric string test can be used to obtain a specimen for microbiological confirmation of tuberculosis in children, but it is not widely used for this. The aim of this analysis to evaluate this approach in children with tuberculosis symptoms. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study to assess children's ability to complete the test (feasibility), and self-reported pain (tolerability). We examined caregivers' and children's willingness to repeat the procedure (acceptability) and described the diagnostic yield of cultures for diagnostic tools. We stratified estimates by age and compared metrics to those derived for gastric aspirate (GA). Results: Among 148 children who attempted the string test, 34% successfully swallowed the capsule. Feasibility was higher among children aged 11-14 than in children 4-10 years (83% vs 22% respectively, p < 0.0001). The string test was better tolerated than GA in both age groups; however, guardians and older children reported higher rates of willingness to repeat GA than the string test (86% vs. 58% in children; 100% vs. 83% in guardians). In 9 children with a positive sputum culture, 6 had a positive string culture. The one children with a positive gastric aspirate culture also had a positive string culture. Conclusion: Although the string test was generally tolerable and accepted by children and caregivers; feasibility in young children was low. Reducing the capsule size may improve test success rates in younger children.
Volume
18
Issue
1
Language
English
OCDE Knowledge area
Enfermedades infecciosas PediatrĆ­a Sistema respiratorio
Scopus EID
2-s2.0-85056624744
PubMed ID
Source
BMC Infectious Diseases
ISSN of the container
14712334
Sponsor(s)
The study was funded by National Institute of Health Grant N° 5U19AI109755–02. Karla T Tafur is a Fogarty fellow supported by Fogarty Grant (N° D43TW009379).
Sources of information: Directorio de Producción Científica Scopus