TUBERCULOSIS IN CHILDREN - EPIDEMIOLOGY, DIAGNOSTIC AND THERAPEUTIC STANDARDS

The worldwide resurgence of adult tuberculosis, which reflects migrato ry trends as well as the AIDS epidemic, should alert the pediatrician to consider this diagnosis in children more often. The article outline s the current epidemiologic situation and the classical and modern dia gnostic meth ods applicable for children. Automated radiometric method s yield faster culture results than classical methods for mycobacteria l identification and sensitivity testing. The detection of mycobacteri al DNA in clinical samples on the basis of the polymerase chain reacti on (PCR) is a promising approach for the rapid diagnosis of tuberculou s infections. This article reviews standard regimens for chemotherapy and preventive chemotherapy.