*Corresponding author:
Iveta Ozere, Riga Stradiņš University, Riga, LatviaReceived: June 15, 2018; Published: July 20, 2018
DOI: 10.26717/BJSTR.2018.07.001452
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Patients treated with anti-TNF-α agents are at increased risk of reactivating latent tuberculosis infection. Screening for tuberculosis infection and disease, and appropriate treatment before commencing of anti-TNF therapy is therefore important. However, currently recommended screening tools (tuberculin skin test, interferon-gamma releasing assays, and chest radiograph) may not detect tuberculosis infection in all children. This may result in development of active tuberculosis during TNF-α inhibitor therapy.
Keywords: Anti-TNF-α agents; Tuberculosis; Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis; Children
Abbreviations: TNF-α: Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha; TB: Tuberculosis; Mbt: Mycobacterium Tuberculosis; JIA: Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis; LTBI: Latent Tuberculosis Infection; TST: Tuberculin Skin Test; IGRAs: Interferon-Gamma Releasing Assays; CXR: Chest Radiograph; CT: Computed Tomography
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