Microscopic detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in direct or processed sputum smears

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Microscopic identification of active pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) from direct smears of sputum (DS) is widely used for detection, but has limited sensitivity. Here, we assessed the yield of acid-fast bacilli (AFB) detection in processed sputum smears (PSS). METHODS: Sputum samples were simultaneously analyzed by direct sputum smearing and after chemical treatment and spontaneous sedimentation. RESULTS: Of the 1,719 samples analyzed, 16.4% were positive for AFB in conventional DS and 21.4% in PSS, corresponding to a 30% increase in detection. CONCLUSIONS: Increased sensitivity from analyzing PSS and better safety protocols will contribute to improved detection and control of the disease.

Bibliographic Details

Main Authors:	Magalhães,José Luiz de Oliveira, Lima,Juliana Figueiredo da Costa, Araújo,Ana Albertina de, Coutinho,Ilyana Oliveira, Leal,Nilma Cintra, Almeida,Alzira Maria Paiva de
Format:	Digital revista
Language:	English
Published:	Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical - SBMT 2018
Online Access:	http://old.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0037-86822018000200237
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