Comparison of enzyme-linked immunospot assay and tuberculin skin test in healthy children exposed to Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Abstract

OBJECTIVE. To compare the enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) assay with the tuberculin skin test (TST) in children for the diagnosis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in the Gambia. METHODS. We divided child contacts of sputum smear-positive tuberculosis cases into 3 age categories (<5, 5-9, and 10-14 years) and assessed agreement between the 2 tests plus their relationship to prior Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccination. We categorized a child's level of M tuberculosis exposure according to where he/she slept relative to a case: the same room, same house, or a different house. The relationship between exposure and test result was assessed by multiple logistic regression. RESULTS. I..