Čes-slov Pediat 2025, 80(4):197-203 | DOI: 10.55095/CSPediatrie2025/033

Pediatric tuberculosis and nontuberculous mycobacterial infections: current challenges and clinical insights

Karolína Doležalová

Pediatrická klinika, 1. lékařská fakulta, Univerzita Karlova a Fakultní Thomayerova nemocnice, Praha

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It primarily affects the lungs but can involve any organ system. Children at higher risk include those from socioeconomically disadvantaged environments, with a family history of TB, of Roma ethnicity, or migrants from regions with a high incidence of tuberculosis. Therefore, TB can be regarded as a social

disease caused by a bacterium. Diagnosis is based on three main pillars: the presence of an epidemiological link, a positive tuberculin skin test (TST) and interferon gamma release assay (IGRA), and characteristic radiological findings. Treatment consists of a combination of antituberculosis drugs and is best managed by a pulmonologist, ideally within a specialized pediatric TB center. Non-

tuberculous mycobacterial infections (NTM) in children most commonly occur in toddlers, typically presenting as unilateral cervical lymphadenitis caused by Mycobacterium avium. The incidence of NTM lymphadenitis in children has clearly increased since the discontinuation of nationwide BCG vaccination.

Keywords: Tuberculosis, Mycobacteriosis, Cervical lymphadenitis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Mycobacterium avium, diagnostics, treatment

Accepted: June 5, 2025; Published: July 1, 2025  Show citation