logo
Science Portal
Copyright © Médecins Sans Frontières
v2.1.5209.produseast1
About MSF Science Portal
About
Contact Us
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Privacy Policy
Terms of Use
Copyright © Médecins Sans Frontières
v2.1.5209.produseast1
Journal Article
|Research

Diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis in a pastoralist population in Ethiopia: are three sputum specimens needed?

Khogali MA, Tayler-Smith K, Zachariah R, Gbane M, Zimble S, Weyeyso T, Harries AD
Download

Similar Content
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis in a pastoralist population in Ethiopia: are three sputum specimens needed? | Journal Article / Research | MSF Science Portal
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To assess the number of sputum specimens necessary for a reliable diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) in a pastoralist population in Ethiopia.

METHOD
Using routine data from Ethiopia, where three sputum specimens are currently recommended for the diagnosis of PTB, we documented, (i) the proportion of persons with suspected, PTB who submitted a first, second and third sputum specimen for smear examination and (ii) the incremental smear-positive yield from the first, to the second and third specimens.

RESULTS
Of 505 persons with suspected PTB, 107 (22%) failed to submit three samples. Of 60 patients who submitted three sputum samples with at least one smear-positive sample, the first sputum sample was smear positive in 56 (93%) cases; the second sputum sample was the first to be positive in 3 (5%) cases and in only one case was the third sample the first to be smear positive (additional yield 2%).

CONCLUSION
In a pastoralist setting, a reliable diagnosis of PTB can be achieved with two sputum specimens and PTB diagnosis may be adequate with just one sputum specimen. However, if this more radical approach was adopted, ways of increasing diagnostic sensitivity should be explored.

Countries

Ethiopia

Subject Area

tuberculosisdiagnostics

Languages

English
DOI
10.1111/tmi.12082
Published Date
26 Feb 2013
PubMed ID
23437768
Journal
Tropical Medicine and International Health
Volume | Issue | Pages
Volume 18, Issue 5, Pages 632-5
Issue Date
2013-02-26
Dimensions Badge