How can TB genotyping help in source-case investigations for pediatric TB cases?
Pediatric cases are considered sentinel events in that they provide evidence of recent TB transmission. Source-case investigations can potentially identify additional TB cases, confirm suspected transmission links between a suspected source case and the child, or identify new, previously unsuspected, venues of transmission. When a suspected source case is identified, genotyping can support evidence of the transmission link to the child if the isolates from both have matching genotypes. If the investigation yields no suspected source case, a review of all genotyping results from patients living in the same region as the child may identify a genotype match. Also, further interviews of patients with matching genotypes may reveal the true source for the child’s TB.
