A Comparative Study of the Gene Chip Technology and Acid-fast Staining or Mycobacterial Culture to Diagnose Childhood Tuberculosis

Objective  To investigate the clinical value of mycobacterial DNA microarray technology for diagnosis of childhood tuberculosis.   Methods  120 clinical specimens were collected from hospitalized child patients. Acid-fast staining, mycobacterial culture and DNA microarray assays were performed using these clinical specimens. The results of DNA microarray assays were compared with the results of acid-fast staining and mycobacterial culture.   Results  The sensitivity of DNA microarray assays for specimens from children with tuberculosis was 24.3% (17/70), of acid-fast staining 17.1% (12/70), of mycobacterial culture 20.0% (14/70), and the specificity of the three methods was all 100.0% (50/50). The difference between results of DNA microarray assays and that of acid-fast staining or mycobacterial culture was not significant.   Conclusion  DNA microarray assay has reference value for the diagnosis of childhood tuberculosis. It provides a new way for the diagnosis of childhood tuberculosis.