Tuberculosis screening after detection of a case in a paediatric haemato-oncology unit in a low prevalence country

Abstract

Background: There are no guidelines to screen haemato-oncologic children when a tuberculosis (TB) outbreak is suspected.

Methods: After exposition to an adult with active TB, children exposed from a haemato-oncology unit were screened according to immunosuppression status and time of exposure. Until an evaluation after 8-12 weeks from last exposure, isoniazid was indicated to those with negative initial work-up.

Results: After 210 interventions, we detected a case of pulmonary TB, and another with latent TB infection. Pulmonary findings and treatment approach were challenging in some patients.

Conclusions: The TB screening of oncologic children required a multidisciplinary approach, and clinicians managed challenging situations.

Keywords: Cribado; Haemato-oncology; Hematooncología; Pacientes pediátricos; Paediatrics; Screening; Tuberculosis.