Comparison between the Interferon γ Release Assay—QuantiFERON Gold Plus (QFT-Plus)—and Tuberculin Skin Test (TST) in the Detection of Tuberculosis Infection in Immunocompromised Children
Table 1
Characteristics of the patients.
Characteristics
Number ()
%
Sex
Male
34
47.9
Female
37
52.1
Age (year)
5–9
18
25.4
10–14
31
43.7
15–18
22
31.0
Median (SD): 11.8 years
Range: 5-18
Nutritional status
Normal
49
69.0
Moderately malnourished
12
16.9
Severely malnourished
10
14.1
History of chemotherapy
Chemotherapy
40
56.3
Chemotherapy+steroid
29
40.8
Steroid
2
2.8
Duration of therapy
≤3 months
30
40.8
>3 months
41
59.2
Patient classification
Hematology
40
56.3
Nephrology
19
26.8
Immunology
12
16.9
Rapid molecular test (GeneXpert)
Negative
57
80.3
Not done
14
19.7
BCG scar/history of BCG vaccination
Positive
67
94.4
Negative
4
5.6
History of contact with TB adult patient
Positive
2
3
Negative
69
97
SD: standard deviation; BCG: Bacillus Calmette–Guérin; TB: tuberculosis.
