Spot sputum samples are at least as good as early morning samples for identifying Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The use of early morning sputum samples (EMS) to diagnose tuberculosis (TB) can result in treatment delay given the need for the patient to return to the clinic with the EMS, increasing the chance of patients being lost during their diagnostic workup. However, there is little evidence to support the superiority of EMS over spot sputum samples. In this new analysis of the REMoxTB study, we compare the diagnostic accuracy of EMS with spot samples for identifying Mycobacterium tuberculosis pre- and post-treatment.

Methods

Patients who were smear positive at screening were enrolled into the study. Paired sputum samples (one EMS and one spot) were collected at each trial visit pre- and post-treatment. Microscopy and culture on solid LJ and liquid MGIT media were perfor

SUBMITTER: Murphy ME 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5658986 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature