Abstract
Detection of cord factor may favor the definitive diagnosis and initiation of antituberculosistreatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the interobserver concordance of mycobacterial smears stained with Ziehl-Neelsen technique for the presumptive identification of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis).Three observers, healthcare students, conducted a blind reading of 30 slides stained with Ziehl-Neelsen and their results were compared to the results of an experient reader. Kappa coefficient with 95% interval was used to evaluate the concordance betweenthe readings. No excellent interobserver concordance(κ>0.75) was found. The interpretation and use of the cord factor for the presumptive identification of the M. tuberculosisis a technique that requires training for the interpretation of the variables of the smear stained with Ziehl-Neelsen technique and theoretical knowledge of the observer to deliver a correct result.
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