For the immunodiagnosis of tuberculosis infection, in addition to standard skin tests (Mantoux test with 2 TU PPD-L and Diaskintest), in vitro tests are currently used, one of which is the T-spot.TB test. Purpose of research. Evaluate the T-SPOT test as a method of early detection of tuberculosis infection in children and adolescents and its role as an additional method in solving the problem of the need for chemoprophylaxis. Materials and methods. The analysis of the results of T-SPOT.TB in 794 children aged 2 to 17 years inclusive in the period from 2016 to 2019 was carried out. Two groups were allocated: 1 group (n = 596)-children who underwent T-SPOT.TB as the main methodology; Group 2-198 children with positive skin test results for a recombinant tuberculosis allergen after screening. The results of T-SPOT.TB were evaluated taking into account the data of previous immunodiagnostics and associated pathology. Results. It is established that T-SPOT.TB. can be used as an independent method in case of rejection of skin tests. The level of latent tuberculosis infection is higher among children with concomitant pathology according to the results of T-SPOT.TB twice. Conclusion. T-SPOT.TB can be an alternative method for diagnosing tuberculosis infection during screening. In children with concomitant pathology of the T-SPOT.TB can serve as the leading method of tuberculosis immunodiagnosis. A positive T-SPOT.TB can serve as an additional method for deciding on the appointment of preventive chemotherapy.

In addition to standard skin tests (Mantoux test with 2 TU PPD-L and diaskintest) for the diagnosis of tuberculosis infection, in vitro tests are used. One of these tests is T-SPOT.TB being more widely used in recent years.The objective: to evaluate the effectiveness of T-SPOT.TB test for early detection of tuberculosis infection in children and adolescents in Samara Region.Subjects and methods. From 2016 to 2019, results of T-SPOT.TB tests performed in 596 children aged 2 to 17 years inclusive were analyzed; those children had no immunodiagnosis of tuberculosis infection using skin tests since their parents refused to have it.Results. It was found out that the major reason for refusing skin tests was the “fear” of visiting a TB dispensary if the result had been positive — 38.43% (n = 229). The latent tuberculosis infection according to the results of T-SPOT.TB among children with concomitant pathology made 2.6%, among healthy children – 0.7%.Conclusion. T-SPOT.TB test may be used as an alternative method for diagnosis of tuberculosis infection, should the parent refuse to have skin tests. In children with concomitant pathology, T-SPOT.TB test can serve as a leading method for immunodiagnosis of tuberculosis.The authors state that they have no conflict of interests.