title: The role of interferon gamma release assays in the monitoring of response to anti-tuberculosis treatment in children.
abstract: Successful control of childhood TB requires early diagnosis, effective chemotherapy and a method of evaluating the response to therapy. Identification of suitable biomarkers that predict the response to anti-TB therapy may allow the duration of treatment to be shortened. The majority of biomarker studies in paediatric TB have focused on the role of T cell-based interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) release assays (IGRAs) in the diagnosis of either latent or active disease. Little has been published on the role of IGRAs in the monitoring response to therapy in children. We reviewed the available literature to ascertain the value of IGRAs in the monitoring of response to anti-TB therapy in children. We explored the results of the few studies that have investigated the role of IGRAs as markers of response to anti-TB treatment in children. We conclude that the role of IGRAs as surrogate markers appears promising. Robust clinical trials are, however, needed to entrench the value of IGRAs as surrogate biomarkers of response to anti-TB therapy in children.
authors.affiliation: Paediatrics and Child Health, School of Clinical Medicine, University of KwaZulu Natal, Private Bag X1, Congella, Durban, 4013, South Africa, Senior lecturer, Faculty of Health Sciences, Durban University of Technology, P. O. Box 1334, Durban, 4000, South Africa. Electronic address: junaids@dut.ac.za.
authors.forename: Junaid
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shaik
authors.affiliation: Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, University of KwaZulu Natal, Private Bag 7, Congella, Durban, 4013, South Africa. Electronic address: pillayc@ukzn.ac.za.
authors.forename: Manormoney
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pillay
authors.affiliation: Paediatrics and Child Health, School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu Natal, Private Bag X1, Congella, Durban, 4013, South Africa. Electronic address: jeena@ukzn.ac.za.
authors.forename: Prakash
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jeena
mesh_terms: D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000032:analysis; D059425:Interferon-gamma Release Tests; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000995:Antitubercular Agents; D015415:Biomarkers; D007371:Interferon-gamma
keywords: IGRA; Interferon Gamma Release Assays; Peadiatric; Response to Treatment; Tuberculosis