SUNScholar - Browsing by Author "Hesseling, A. C."

Browsing by Author "Hesseling, A. C."

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Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine and the COVID-19 pandemic : responsible stewardship is needed
(The Union, 2020) Schaaf, H. S.; Du Preez, K.; Kruger, M.; Solomons, R.; Taljaard, J. J.; Rabie, H.; Seddon, J. A.; Cotton, M. F.; Tebruegge, M.; Curtis, N.; Hesseling, A. C.
We believe that responsible stewardship of the bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine in the context of the COVID-19 epidemic is urgently needed. Live attenuated BCG is currently the only licensed vaccine to protect against tuberculosis (TB). Neonatal BCG vaccination has proven efficacy in protecting infants and young children against life-threatening disseminated forms of TB, including TB meningitis and miliary TB.
BCG vaccination in South African HIV-exposed infants : risks and benefits
(Health and Medical Publishing Group (HMPG), 2009-02) Hesseling, A. C.; Caldwell, J.; Cotton, M. F.; Eley, B. S.; Jaspan, H. B.; Jennings, K.; Marais, B. J.; Nuttall, J.; Rabie, H.; Roux, P.; Schaaf, H. Simon
Burden, spectrum and outcomes of children with tuberculosis diagnosed at a district-level hospital in South Africa
(International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, 2018) Du Preez, K.; Du Plessis, L.; O’Connell, N.; Hesseling, A. C.
SETTING: The Khayelitsha subdistrict has the highest burden of reported tuberculosis (TB) cases in Cape Town, Western Cape Province, South Africa. OBJECTIVES: To characterise the TB burden, spectrum and treatment outcomes among children managed at a district-level hospital, the Khayelitsha District Hospital. DESIGN: Retrospective medical record review of all children (age <13 years) diagnosed with TB in January–July 2014. A lay health care worker completed daily surveillance and supported linkage to TB care. Symptoms and investigations at presentation, TB disease spectrum, referral pathways and outcomes were reported. RESULTS: Most children were aged ≤2 years (84/99, 85%), 18/96 (19%) were infected with the human immunodeficiency virus, 31/91 (34%) were malnourished and 80/99 (81%) had pulmonary TB only. The majority of the children (63/80, 79%) presented with cough of acute onset (<2 weeks). Only 5/36 (14%) eligible child contacts had documentation of receiving isoniazid preventive therapy. Twelve (13%) children had bacteriologically confirmed pulmonary TB. Overall, 93/97 (96%) children successfully continued TB care after hospital discharge. Favourable TB treatment outcomes were recorded in only 77 (78%) children. CONCLUSIONS: Children with TB managed at this district-level hospital were young, and frequently had acute symptoms and substantial comorbidities. Missed opportunities for TB prevention were identified. Linkage to care support resulted in excellent continuation of TB care; however, treatment outcomes could be further improved.
Closing the reporting gap for childhood tuberculosis in South Africa : improving hospital referrals and linkages
(IUATLD -- International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, 2020-03-21) Du Preez, K.; Schaaf, H. S.; Dunbar, R.; Swartz, A.; Naidoo, P.; Hesseling, A. C.
Setting: A referral hospital in Cape Town, Western Cape Province, Republic of South Africa. Objective: To measure the impact of a hospital-based referral service (intervention) to reduce initial loss to follow-up among children with tuberculosis (TB) and ensure the completeness of routine TB surveillance data. Design: A dedicated TB referral service was established in the paediatric wards at Tygerberg Hospital, Cape Town, in 2012. Allocated personnel provided TB education and counselling, TB referral support and weekly telephonic follow-up after hospital discharge. All children identified with TB were matched to electronic TB treatment registers (ETR.Net/EDRWeb). Multivariable logistic regression was used to compare reporting of culture-confirmed and drug-susceptible TB cases before (2007–2009) and during (2012) the intervention. Results: Successful referral with linkage to care was confirmed in 267/272 (98%) and successful reporting in 227/272 (84%) children. Children with drug-susceptible, culture-confirmed TB were significantly more likely to be reported during the intervention period than in the pre-intervention period (OR 2.52, 95%CI 1.33–4.77). The intervention effect remained consistent in multivariable analysis (adjusted OR 2.62; 95%CI 1.31–5.25) after adjusting for age, sex, human immunodeficiency virus status and the presence of TB meningitis. Conclusions: A simple hospital-based TB referral service can reduce initial loss to follow-up and improve recording and reporting of childhood TB in settings with decentralised TB services.
Decentralised care for child contacts of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis
(The Union, 2012-09-21) Seddon, J. A.; Hesseling, A. C.; Dunbar, R.; Cox, H.; Hughes, J.; Fielding, K.; Godfrey-Faussett, P.; Schaaf, H. S.
SETTING: Cape Town, South Africa. OBJECTIVE: To determine the number of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) child contacts routinely identified by health services, and whether a model of decentralised care improves access. METHODS: All MDR-TB source cases registered in Cape Town from April 2010 to March 2011 were included. All child contacts assessed at hospital and outreach clinics were recorded from May 2010 to June 2011. Electronic probabilistic matching was used to match source cases with potential child contacts; the number of children accessing decentralised (Khayelitsha) and hospital-based care was compared. RESULTS: Of 1221 MDR-TB source cases identified, 189 (15.5%) were registered in Khayelitsha; 31 (16.4%) had at least one child contact assessed. In contrast, 95 (9.2%) of the 1032 source cases diagnosed in the other Cape Town subdistricts (hospital-based care) had at least one child contact assessed (P = 0.003). Children in Khayelitsha were seen at a median of 71 days (interquartile range [IQR] 37–121 days) after source case diagnosis compared to 90 days (IQR 56–132 days) in other subdistricts (P = 0.15). CONCLUSION: Although decentralised care led to an increased number of child contacts being evaluated, both models led to the assessment of a small number of potential child MDR-TB contacts, with considerable delay in assessment.
Effect of non-tuberculous mycobacteria on host biomarkers potentially relevant for tuberculosis management
(PLoS, 2014-10-16) Dhanasekaran, S.; Jenum, Synne; Stavrum, Ruth; Wiker, Harald G.; Kenneth, John; Vaz, Mario; Doherty, T. Mark; Grewal, Harleen M. S.; Hesseling, A. C.
Background: Non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are different from Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) both in their ubiquitous environmental distribution and in their reduced capacity to cause disease. While often neglected in favour of other infectious diseases, NTM may interfere with important aspects of TB control and management, namely the efficacy of new anti-tuberculosis (TB) vaccines; the immuno-diagnostic Tuberculin skin test (TST) and QuantiFERON TB Gold In Tube assay (QFTGIT); and immune biomarkers explored for their diagnostic and/or predictive potential. Our objective was therefore to explore host immune biomarkers in children who had NTM isolated from respiratory and/or gastric specimens. Methodology and Principle Findings: The present study was nested within a prospective cohort study of BCG-vaccinated neonates in Southern India. In this setting, immune biomarkers from peripheral blood were analyzed in 210 children aged , 3 years evaluated for TB using dual-colour-Reverse-Transcriptase-Multiple-Ligation-dependent-Probe-Amplification (dcRTMLPA) and Bio-Plex assays. The children were classified based on clinical examination, chest X-rays and mycobacterial culture reports as either: 1) TB disease, 2) NTM present and 3) controls. The study shows a down-regulation of RAB33A (p, 0.001) and up-regulation of TGFb1, IL-2 and IL-6 (all p,0.05) in children with TB disease, and that RAB33A, TGFBR2 and IL-10 (all p,0.05) were differentially expressed in children with NTM present when compared to children that were culture negative for MTB and NTM (controls). Conclusions and Significance: Carriage of NTM may reduce the specificity of future diagnostic and predictive immune biomarkers relevant to TB management.
Evaluation of tuberculosis diagnostics in children: 2. Methodological issues for conducting and reporting research evaluations of tuberculosis diagnostics for intrathoracic tuberculosis in children. Consensus from an expert panel
(2012) Cuevas, L. E.; Browning, R.; Bossuyt, P.; Casenghi, M.; Cotton, M. F.; Cruz, A. T.; Dodd, L. E.; Drobniewski, F.; Gale, M.; Graham S. M.; Grzemska, M.; Heinrich, N.; Hesseling, A. C.; Huebner, R.; Jean-Philippe, P.; Kabra, S. K.; Kampmann, B.; Lewinsohn, D.; Li, M.; Lienhardt, C.; Mandalakas A. M.; Marais, B. J.; Menzies, H. J.; Montepiedra, G.; Mwansambo, C.; Oberhelman, R.; Palumbo, P.; Russek-Cohen, E.; Shapiro, D. E.; Smith, B.; Soto-Castellares, G.; Starke, J. R.; Swaminathan, S.; Wingfield, C.; Worrell, C.
Confirming the diagnosis of childhood tuberculosis is a major challenge. However, research on childhood tuberculosis as it relates to better diagnostics is often neglected because of technical difficulties, such as the slow growth in culture, the difficulty of obtaining specimens, and the diverse and relatively nonspecific clinical presentation of tuberculosis in this age group. Researchers often use individually designed criteria for enrollment, diagnostic classifications, and reference standards, thereby hindering the interpretation and comparability of their findings. The development of standardized research approaches and definitions is therefore needed to strengthen the evaluation of new diagnostics for detection and confirmation of tuberculosis in children.In this article we present consensus statements on methodological issues for conducting research of Tuberculosis diagnostics among children, with a focus on intrathoracic tuberculosis. The statements are complementary to a clinical research case definition presented in an accompanying publication and suggest a phased approach to diagnostics evaluation; entry criteria for enrollment; methods for classification of disease certainty, including the rational use of culture within the case definition; age categories and comorbidities for reporting results; and the need to use standard operating procedures. Special consideration is given to the performance of microbiological culture in children and we also recommend for alternative methodological approaches to report findings in a standardized manner to overcome these limitations are made. This consensus statement is an important step toward ensuring greater rigor and comparability of pediatric tuberculosis diagnostic research, with the aim of realizing the full potential of better tests for children. © 2012 The Author.
The frequencies of IFNγ+IL2+TNFα+ PPD-specific CD4+CD45RO+ T-cells correlate with the magnitude of the QuantiFERON® Gold In-Tube response in a prospective study of healthy Indian adolescents
(PLoS, 2014-07-03) Jenum, Synne; Grewal, Harleen M. S.; Hokey, David A.; Kenneth, John; Vaz, Mario; Doherty, Timothy Mark; Jahnsen, Frode Lars; Hesseling, A. C.
Background: QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube (QFT) is an IFNγ-release assay used in the diagnosis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) infection. The risk of TB progression increases with the magnitude of the MTB-specific IFNγ-response. QFT reversion, also associated with low Tuberculin Skin Test responses, may therefore represent a transient immune response with control of M. tuberculosis infection. However, studies at the single cell level have suggested that the quality (polyfunctionality) of the T-cell response is more important than the quantity of cytokines produced. Objective: To explore the quality and/or magnitude of mycobacteria-specific T-cell responses associated with QFT reversion and persistent QFT-positivity. Methods: Multi-color flowcytometry on prospectively collected peripheral blood mononuclear cells was applied to assess mycobacteria-specific T-cell responses in 42 QFT positive Indian adolescents of whom 21 became QFT negative (reverters) within one year. Ten QFT consistent negatives were also included as controls. Results: There was no difference in the qualitative PPD-specific CD4+ T-cell response between QFT consistent positives and reverters. However, compared with QFT consistent positives, reverters displayed lower absolute frequencies of polyfunctional (IFNγ+IL2+TNFα+) CD4+ T-cells at baseline, which were further reduced to the point where they were not different to QFT negative controls one year later. Moreover, absolute frequencies of these cells correlated well with the magnitude of the QFT-response. Conclusion: Whereas specific polyfunctional CD4+ T-cells have been suggested to protect against TB progression, our data do not support that higher relative or absolute frequencies of PPD-specific polyfunctional CD4+ T-cells in peripheral blood can explain the reduced risk of TB progression observed in QFT reverters. On the contrary, absolute frequencies of these cells correlated with the QFT-response, suggesting that this readout reflects antigenic load.
Global shortages of BCG vaccine and tuberculous meningitis in children
(Elsevier, 2019) Du Preez, K.; Seddon, J. A.; Schaaf, H. S.; Hesseling, A. C.; Starke, J. R.; Osman, M.; Lombard, C. J.; Solomons, R.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: No abstract available.
High burden of viral respiratory co-infections in a cohort of children with suspected pulmonary tuberculosis
(BMC (part of Springer Nature), 2020-12-04) Van Der Zalm, M. M.; Walters, E.; Claassen, M.; Palmer, M.; Seddon, J. A.; Demers, A. M.; Shaw, M. L.; McCollum, E. D.; Van Zyl, G. U.; Hesseling, A. C.
Background: The presentation of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) in young children is often clinically indistinguishable from other common respiratory illnesses, which are frequently infections of viral aetiology. As little is known about the role of viruses in children with PTB, we investigated the prevalence of respiratory viruses in children with suspected PTB at presentation and follow-up. Methods: In an observational cohort study, children < 13 years were routinely investigated for suspected PTB in Cape Town, South Africa between December 2015 and September 2017 and followed up for 24 weeks. Nasopharyngeal aspirates (NPAs) were tested for respiratory viruses using multiplex PCR at enrolment, week 4 and 8. Results: Seventy-three children were enrolled [median age 22.0months; (interquartile range 10.0–48.0); 56.2% male and 17.8% HIV-infected. Anti-tuberculosis treatment was initiated in 54.8%; of these 50.0% had bacteriologically confirmed TB. At enrolment, ≥1 virus were detected in 95.9% (70/73) children; most commonly human rhinovirus (HRV) (74.0%). HRV was more frequently detected in TB cases (85%) compared to ill controls (60.6%) (p = 0.02). Multiple viruses were detected in 71.2% of all children; 80% of TB cases and 60.6% of ill controls (p = 0.07). At follow-up, ≥1 respiratory virus was detected in 92.2% (47/51) at week 4, and 94.2% (49/52) at week 8. Conclusions: We found a high prevalence of viral respiratory co-infections in children investigated for PTB, irrespective of final PTB diagnosis, which remained high during follow up. Future work should include investigating the whole respiratory ecosystem in combination with pathogen- specific immune responses.
Novel application of NIH case definitions in a paediatric tuberculosis contact investigation study
(International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, 2015-04) Wiseman, C. A.; Mandalakas, A. M.; Kirchner, H. L.; Gie, R. P.; Schaaf, H. Simon; Walters, E.; Hesseling, A. C.; Paediatrics and Child Health
BACKGROUND: International (National Institutes of Health [NIH]) case definitions have been proposed for paediatric tuberculosis (TB) diagnostic studies. The relevance of these definitions for contact tracing studies is unknown. METHODS: We developed case definitions for a community-based contact tracing diagnostic study. We compare disease certainty using protocol-defined and NIH case definitions and describe TB disease spectrum and severity. RESULTS: There were 111 potential disease episodes in 109 (21% human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] infected) of 1093 children enrolled. Based on NIH definitions, there were 8 confirmed, 12 probable, 17 possible and 3 unlikely TB and 2 non-TB episodes. Using protocol case definitions, there were 23 episodes of confirmed, 36 probable, 27 possible and 0 unlikely TB and 21 non-TB. Of 111 potential episodes, 69 were unclassifiable using the NIH definition, while 4 were unclassifiable using the protocol definition. Agreement between definitions was 0.30 (95%CI 0.23-0.38). There were 62 episodes (72%) of non-severe and 24 (28%) of severe TB. CONCLUSIONS: The NIH definition had limited applicability to household contact studies, despite the wide spectrum of disease observed. Further research is needed to develop case definitions relevant to different research settings, including contact investigation to capture the wide spectrum of paediatric TB in clinical research.
Pediatric multidrug-resistant tuberculosis clinical trials : challenges and opportunities
(Elsevier on behalf of International Society for Infectious Diseases, 2017) McAnaw, S. E.; Hesseling, A. C.; Seddon, J. A.; Dooley, K. E.; Garcia-Prats, A. J.; Kim, S.; Jenkins, H. E.; Schaaf, H. Simon; Sterling, T. R.; Horsburgh, C. R.
On June 17, 2016, RESIST-TB, IMPAACT, Vital Strategies, and New Ventures jointly hosted the Pediatric Multidrug Resistant Tuberculosis Clinical Trials Landscape Meeting in Arlington, Virginia, USA. The meeting provided updates on current multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) trials targeting pediatric populations and adult trials that have included pediatric patients. A series of presentations were given that discussed site capacity needs, community engagement, and additional interventions necessary for clinical trials to improve the treatment of pediatric MDR-TB. This article presents a summary of topics discussed, including the following: current trials ongoing and planned; the global burden of MDR-TB in children; current regimens for MDR-TB treatment in children; pharmacokinetics of second-line anti-tuberculosis medications in children; design, sample size, and statistical considerations for MDR-TB trials in children; selection of study population, design, and treatment arms for a trial of novel pediatric MDR-TB regimens; practical aspects of pediatric MDR-TB treatment trials; and strategies for integrating children into adult tuberculosis trials. These discussions elucidated barriers to pediatric MDR-TB clinical trials and provided insight into necessary next steps for progress in this field. Investigators and funding agencies need to respond to these recommendations so that important studies can be implemented, leading to improved treatment for children with MDR-TB.
The prevalence of symptoms associated with pulmonary tuberculosis in randomly selected children from a high burden community
(BMJ Publishing Group, 2005-11) Marais, B. J.; Obihara, C. C.; Gie, R. P.; Schaaf, H. Simon; Hesseling, A. C.; Lombard, C.; Enarson, D.; Bateman, E.; Beyers, Nulda
Background: Diagnosis of childhood tuberculosis is problematic and symptom based diagnostic approaches are often promoted in high burden settings. This study aimed (i) to document the prevalence of symptoms associated with tuberculosis among randomly selected children living in a high burden community, and (ii) to compare the prevalence of these symptoms in children without tuberculosis to those in children with newly diagnosed tuberculosis. Methods: A cross sectional, community based survey was performed on a 15% random sample of residential addresses. A symptom based questionnaire and tuberculin skin test (TST) were completed in all children. Chest radiographs were performed according to South African National Tuberculosis Control Program guidelines. Results: Results were available in 1415 children of whom 451 (31.9%) were TST positive. Tuberculosis was diagnosed in 18 (1.3%) children. Of the 1397 children without tuberculosis, 253 (26.4%) reported a cough during the preceding 3 months. Comparison of individual symptoms (cough, dyspnoea, chest pain, haemoptysis, anorexia, weight loss, fatigue, fever, night sweats) in children with and without tuberculosis revealed that only weight loss differed significantly (OR = 4.5, 95% CI 1.5 to 12.3), while the combination of cough and weight loss was most significant (OR = 5.4, 95% CI 1.7 to 16.9). Children with newly diagnosed tuberculosis reported no symptoms in 50% of cases. Conclusion: Children from this high burden community frequently reported symptoms associated with tuberculosis. These symptoms had limited value to differentiate children diagnosed with tuberculosis from those without tuberculosis. Improved case definitions and symptom characterisation are required when evaluating the diagnostic value of symptoms.
Role of the QuantiFERON?-TB Gold In-Tube test in the diagnosis of intrathoracic childhood tuberculosis
(INT UNION AGAINST TUBERCULOSIS LUNG DISEASE (I U A T L D), 68 BOULEVARDSAINT-MICHEL,, PARIS, FRANCE, 75006, 2013) Lodha, R.; Mukherjee, A.; Saini, D.; Saini, S.; Singh, V.; Grewal, H. M. S.; Kabra, S. K.; Aneja, S.; Arya, T.; Bhatnagar, S.; Hesseling, A. C.
Tuberculosis control in South Africa : successes, challenges and recommendations
(Health & Medical Publishing Group, 2014-03) Churchyard, G. J.; Mametja, L. D.; Mvusi, L.; Ndjeka, N.; Hesseling, A. C.; Reid, A.; Babatunde, S.; Pillay, Y.
Tuberculosis (TB) remains a global health threat, and South Africa (SA) has one of the world’s worst TB epidemics driven by HIV. Among the 22 countries with the highest burden of TB, SA has the highest estimated incidence and prevalence of TB, the second highest number of diagnosed multidrug-resistant TB cases, and the largest number of HIV-associated TB cases. Although SA has made notable progress in reducing TB prevalence and deaths and improving treatment outcomes for new smear-positive TB cases, the burden of TB remains enormous. SA has the means to overcome this situation. In addition to better implementing the basics of TB diagnosis and treatment, scaling up the use of Xpert MTB/RIF as a replacement for sputum smear microscopy, strengthening case finding in and beyond healthcare facilities and a greater focus on TB prevention for people living with HIV, particularly earlier initiation of and scaling up antiretroviral therapy and scaling up continuous isoniazid preventive therapy, will have a substantial impact on TB control. New TB drugs, diagnostics and vaccines are required to further accelerate progress towards improved TB control in SA and beyond.
Tuberculous lymphadenitis as a cause of persistent cervical lymphadenopathy in children from a tuberculosis-endemic area
(2006) Marais, B. J.; Wright, C. A.; Schaaf, H. Simon; Gie, R. P.; Hesseling, A. C.; Enarson, D. A.; Beyers, Nulda
Background: Cervical lymphadenitis is the most common form of extrapulmonary tuberculosis in children, although its relative contribution as a cause of persistent cervical adenopathy is not well-documented. The aim of this study was to determine the relative contribution of tuberculous lymphadenitis as a cause of persistent cervical adenopathy in a tuberculosis-endemic setting and to document its clinical presentation at the primary health care level. Methods: A prospective descriptive study was conducted from February 2003 through October 200 at 5 primary health care clinics in Cape Town, South Africa. The study included all children younger than 13 years presenting with persistent cervical adenopathy to the local primary health care clinic. Results: A total of 158 children were evaluated of whom 35 (22.2%) were diagnosed with tuberculous lymphadenitis. Bacteriologic confirmation was achieved in 27 of 35 (77.1%) children; all 35 responded to standard antituberculosis treatment. The majority of those without tuberculous lymphadenitis (105 of 123, 85.4%) had a visible superficial lesion in the area drained by the affected nodes. In children with persistent lymphadenopathy ≥2 x 2 cm, tuberculosis lymphadenitis was diagnosed in 31 of 33 (93.9%); specificity was 98.4%, sensitivity was 88.6% and the positive predictive value was 93.4%. Conclusion: Children commonly present with persistent cervical adenopathy to the primary health care clinic. The use of a simple clinical algorithm provided an accurate diagnosis of tuberculous lymphadenitis in the study setting. Fine needle aspirations provided a rapid and definitive diagnosis in the majority of children and will have added diagnostic value in settings where alternative diagnoses are more likely. Copyright © 2006 by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Vitamin D levels in Indian children with intrathoracic tuberculosis
(Medknow, 2014-10) Khandelwal, Deepchand; Gupta, Nandita; Mukherjee, Aparna; Lodha, Rakesh; Singh, Varinder; Grewal, Harleen M. S.; Bhatnagar, Shinjini; Singh, Sarman; Kabra, S. K.; Delhi Pediatric TB study group; Hesseling, A. C.
Background & objectives: Deficiency of vitamin D, an immunomodulator agent, is associated with increased susceptibility to tuberculosis in adults, but only limited studies are available in the paediatric age group, especially regarding association of vitamin D with type and outcome of tuberculosis. We conducted this study to determine the baseline 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels in children suffering from intrathoracic tuberculosis and its association with type and outcome of tuberculosis. Methods: Children with intrathoracic tuberculosis, diagnosed on the basis of clinico-radiological criteria, were enrolled as part of a randomized controlled trial on micronutrient supplementation in paediatric tuberculosis patients. Levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D were measured in serum samples collected prior to starting antitubercular therapy by chemiluminescent immunoassay technology. Results: Two hundred sixty six children (mean age of 106.9 ± 43.7 months; 57.1% girls) were enrolled. Chest X-ray was suggestive of primary pulmonary complex, progressive disease and pleural effusion in 81 (30.5%), 149 (56%) and 36 (13.5%) subjects, respectively. Median serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D level was 8 ng/ml (IQR 5, 12). One hundred and eighty six (69.9%) children were vitamin D deficient (serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D <12 ng/ml), 55 (20.7%) were insufficient (12 to <20 ng/ml) and 25 (9.4%) were vitamin D sufficient (≥ 20 ng/ml). Levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D were similar in all three types of intrathoracic tuberculosis, and in microbiologically confirmed and probable cases. Levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D did not significantly affect outcome of the disease. Children who were deficient or insufficient were less likely to convert (become smear/culture negative) at two months as compared to those who were 25-hydroxy vitamin D sufficient ( p <0.05). Interpretation & conclusions: Majority of Indian children with newly diagnosed intrathoracic tuberculosis were deficient in vitamin D. Type of disease or outcome was not affected by 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels in these children. However, children who did not demonstrate sputum conversion after intensive phase of antitubercular therapy had lower baseline 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels as compared to those who did.
Where are we in the battle of ending tuberculosis in children and adolescents in South Africa?
(Health & Medical Publishing Group, 2020) Du Preez, K.; Seddon, J. A.; Schaaf, H. Simon; Hesseling, A. C.
Ambitious targets to end tuberculosis (TB) were set at the United Nations General Assembly High-Level Meeting (UNHLM) on TB in September 2018, with children and adolescents specifically noted as key populations deserving of more attention. [1] In addition, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched a revised ‘Roadmap towards ending TB in children and adolescents’,[2] outlining key actions that should be taken at country level to engage relevant stakeholders to optimally prevent and treat TB in these age groups

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