[The specific features of tuberculosis in children and adolescents previously receiving chemoprophylaxis].

Abstract

Examining 261 cases of active forms of tuberculosis in children and adolescents in the Samara Region in 1996 to 2004 indicated that 115 (44.1%) had earlier received chemoprophylaxis in the outpatient setting. The specific features of tuberculosis were revealed in this group of patients as compared with the children and adolescents who had never been treated with antituberculous drugs (n = 146): there was a predominance of preschool children; severe, disseminated forms of tuberculosis, detectable from complaints were observed less frequently; clinically cured pulmonary tuberculosis was more frequently characterized by residual posttuberculous changes. Outpatient chemoprophylaxis reduces the severity of the disease, but is not always effective in preventing tuberculosis.