Abstract

Infection with Mycobacterium avium, M. intracellulare and M. scrofulaceum (MAIS) organisms in normal children may result in cervical lymphadenopathy. There is a poor response to anti-tuberculous therapy and surgical excision of infected nodes is necessary. The diagnosis therefore requires consideration in children with cervical lymphadenopathy. A simple in vitro assay is described which may be useful for diagnosis prior to excision. Whole blood is cultured with M. avium purified protein derivative. After 24 h the plasma is removed and the concentration of gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) quantified by a radioimmunometric assay. In a prospective study of 38 children with neck lesions, 16 showed MAIS organisms isolated from cultures of excised tissue. The level of IFN-gamma produced by peripheral blood lymphocytes from children in the MAIS group was significantly greater when compared with children having operations for neck lesions that were not due to MAIS organisms (P < 0.001).

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Authors

Davidson PM, Creati L, Wood PR, Roberton DM, Hosking CS

Institution

Department of Surgery, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.

Source

European journal of pediatrics 152:1 1993 Jan pg 31-5

MeSH

Adolescent
Antibodies, Bacterial
Child
Child, Preschool
Female
Humans
Infant
Interferon-gamma
Lymphatic Diseases
Lymphocytes
Male
Mycobacterium Infections, Atypical
Mycobacterium avium
Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare Infection
Mycobacterium scrofulaceum
Neck
Prospective Studies
Tuberculin

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article

Language

eng

PubMed ID

8444203