Relationship of specific and non-specific inflammation in children with respiratory tuberculosis and chronic lung diseases

The problem of the combination of tuberculosis and chronic nonspecific diseases of the bronchopulmonary system in children and adolescents has not been sufficiently studied to date and remains relevant. Purpose . The study aims at determination of predictors of tuberculosis infection to identify groups at high risk of developing tuberculosis among children with chronic nonspecific pathology. Materials and research methods . A prospective study of children and adolescents (n = 158) with isolated respiratory tuberculosis and its combination with various forms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (lung defects, chronic bronchitis, bronchial asthma) was conducted. These two groups were compared in respect of the medical history and physical examination data, as well as computed tomography findings. Results . The predictors of the development of tuberculosis included cases of pneumonia at an early age, acute respiratory infections 3 or more times a year, and the early age of children infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Conclusion . These conditions increase the risk of developing active tuberculosis in children and cause its more severe course. In addition, chronic nonspecific lung diseases associated with tuberculosis often complicate the course of a specific process and are often characterized by recurrent attacks.