Improved microscopical diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis in developing countries

Summary, in English

The diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) relies on the bacteriological examination of sputum. However, microscopy of smears made directly from sputum has a low sensitivity and there is an urgent need for improved methods. We have compared microscopy of smears made directly from sputum with microscopy after liquefaction of sputum with household bleach (NaOCl) and concentration of bacteria by centrifugation. In 3 studies performed in Ethiopia and India, the use of the NaOCl method increased the number of samples positive for acid-fast bacilli by more than 100%. The technique is appropriate for developing countries and its application would increase the efficiency of TB control programmes. As a potent disinfectant, NaOCl also has the advantage of lowering the risk of laboratory infection.

• Author: Negussie Gebre; Ulf Karlsson; Göran Jönsson; Ragini Macaden; Alemnesh Wolde; Abraham Assefa; Håkan Miörner
• Department/s: Drug Target Discovery; Division of Microbiology, Immunology and Glycobiology - MIG; Division of Medical Microbiology
• Publishing year: 1995
• Language: English
• Pages: 191-193
• Publication/Series: Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
• Volume: 89
• Issue: 2
• Links: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0035-9203(95)90491-3
• Document type: Journal article
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Topic: Microbiology in the medical area
• Keywords: tuberculosis; diagnosis by microscopy
• Status: Published
• Research group: Drug Target Discovery
• ISBN/ISSN/Other: ISSN: 1878-3503