Is the QuantiFERON-TB Gold test (QFT) better than the Tuberculin Skin Test (TST) in diagnosing active and latent tuberculosis in BCG-vaccinated children?

Abstract

Results: Blood cultures from 40 neonates received during the study period. Blood cultures from 18/40 neonates showed bacterial growth. Nine of 18 (50%) neonates showed the growth of E.faecium. All the E.faecium isolates were susceptible to Vancomycin and Linezolid. Susceptibility to other antibiotics :uniformly susceptible to Quinupristin/Dalfopristin and Chloramphenicol. Resistant to macrolides,fluoroquinolones,Gentamicin(high-level). Sequences of seven of the nine isolates were deposited in Gen-Bank (GenBank accession numbers HM222631 to HM222637). The sequence of the each isolate was different from the other. The neonates were either preterm or low birth weight. Babies presented with respiratory distress(6/9), with seizures (2/9) and refusal to feed (1/9).Conclusion: Among the neonates from whom Enterococcus faecium was isolated in blood, no specific clinical feature could be noticed. The isolates were found to be different from each other in our attempt to establish the relatedness of the strains.