title: [Diagnosis and treatment of childhood tuberculosis in Japan].
abstract: In recent years, the incidence rate of childhood tuberculosis (TB) in Japan has declined steadily and it reached at a lower level than that in U.S. On the other hand, because the incidence rate in adults has still stayed at a moderately high level, the chance to receive TB infection for children cannot be disregarded. The accurate diagnosis and appropriate application of drug therapy to latent or active TB in children are still very important. Diagnosis of infection should be judged based on not only QuantiFERON TB results, but also careful history taking and tuberculin skin test results. To obtain good treatment outcomes, the application of standardized treatment regimens according to the relevant diagnostic category, with support for the good adherence to treatment, is indispensable.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, National Hospital Organization Minami-Kyoto Hospital.
authors.forename: Osamu
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Tokunaga
authors.forename: Takeshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Miyanomae
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*