Characteristics of tuberculosis infection in children and adolescents (local knowledge)

Introduction. TB incidence rate among children is a dynamic indicator used to describe the epidemic situation of tuberculosis. Monitoring and analysis of the epidemic situation helps improve the performance of the primary health care in the early detection of tuberculosis in children and adolescents, the formation of groups at high risk of exposure to tuberculosis and the implementation of preventive measures in these groups. Aim. To provide a detailed analysis of the current epidemiological situation of tuberculosis among children and adolescents in the Saratov region, assess the implementation of early detection of tuberculosis in the pediatric population over a five-year observation period (2019–2023) and in high-risk groups. Materials and methods. The statistical data on TB patients collected using Federal Statistical Observation Form No. 33 and the information presented in the annual reports from different areas of the region and Saratov city for the period from 2019 to 2023 were studied. Results. The incidence rates in population were 3.5 times lower in 2023 compared to 2001, the incidence rates among children and adolescents decreased as follows: 8.5 times in children and 2.6 times in adolescents. The comparative analysis of the effectiveness of skin tests in the early detection of active tuberculosis in children under 14 years showed the prevailing value of Diaskintest. The analysis of TB detection methods in adolescents proves the appropriateness of TB testing done twice over the course of a year, alternating between using Diaskintest and check-up X-ray at the age of 15, 16, 17 years. The results of Diaskintest in children with medical and biological (n = 14.840) factors, as well as social risk factors (n = 3.767) were assessed. The level of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) in each group was 1.4% and 3.3%, respectively, which is higher than that (0.6%) in the general population of the region. Conclusions. Monitoring TB incidence rates among children and adolescents in the Saratov region indicates sufficient performance of anti-tuberculosis program in the region. The data obtained confirm the rationale for using immunodiagnostics in adolescents as the key screening test for tuberculosis.