Optimization of the number of bacteriologic tests in the diagnosis of tuberculosis
Schwank, A.; Perruchoud, A.; Klüppelberg, J.; Herzog, H.; Reber, H.
Schweizerische Medizinische Wochenschrift 113(3): 117-119
1983
ISSN/ISBN: 0036-7672 PMID: 6338583 Document Number: 209882
A retrospective analysis over three years in the Cantonal Hospital of Basel favours the continued use of acid-fast smears in suspected tuberculosis. 54% of pulmonary tuberculosis cases can already be diagnosed with acid-fast smears. Smears of gastric aspirates and urine specimens can usually be dispensed with, as the false-positive quotation is much too high (18% for gastric aspirates and 89% for urine specimens). Where there are sputum specimens available, no additional cultures of gastric aspirates are necessary. If pulmonary tuberculosis is diagnosed, cultures of urine specimens are recommended as a means of searching for (probable) urogenital infection.