Abstract
The objective of this study was to assess the impact of sputum quality and quantity on smear and culture positivity for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. A total of 14 708 sputum specimens, collected from respiratory symptomatics in a TB prevalence survey, were evaluated for gross appearance and volume of sputum and examined by smear microscopy and culture. The smear and culture positivity increased with the quantity and the up gradation in quality of sputum, and the difference was significant. The study highlights the importance of visual screening of sputum specimens in the detection of pulmonary TB particularly in resource limited settings.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
