Prevalence of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in suspected childhood tuberculosis in Shandong, China: a laboratory-based study.

Objective: Currently, the prevalence of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in childhood tuberculosis (TB) in Shandong, China remains unclear. We retrospectively conducted laboratory-based surveillance in a high TB burden district, to analyze the local prevalence of MDR-TB in childhood TB.

Methods: We collected data, including microbiological results and demographic and disease information, using a questionnaire and medical records.

Comparison of bronchial brushing and sputum in detection of pediatric pulmonary tuberculosis.

The retrospective study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of bronchial brushing and sputum using acid fast bacilli smear, mycobacterial culture and real-time PCR in detection of pediatric pulmonary tuberculosis, sensitivity and specificity of bronchial brushing and sputum examined by the three methods were calculated and compared to each other. Data showed there were no significant difference in sensitivity between bronchial brushing and matched sputum using each method. But the specificity of real-time PCR on bronchial brushing was lower than on sputum.

Diagnostic value of Epstein-Barr virus capsid antigen-IgA in nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a meta-analysis.

Background: Non-invasive nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) screening usually involves serological testing for the presence of IgA antibodies to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) capsid antigen (VCA). The present meta-analysis determined the accuracy of VCA-IgA in the diagnosis of NPC.

Methods: A systematic review of studies was conducted and data on the accuracy of VCA-IgA concentrations in the diagnosis of NPC were pooled using random effects models.