The role of macroscopic sputum quality assessments to optimise sputum testing for tuberculosis

• DOI: 10.5588/ijtld.15.0620
• Publication Date: 2016-02-06T12:52:15Z
• Authors: J. Ho; P. T. B. Nguyen; T. A. Nguyen; H. K. Tran; V. S. Nguyen; N. V. Nhung; N. B. Hoa; T. N. Phong; B. K. Luu; T. M. H. Nguyen; G. J. Fox; G. B. Marks
• Keywords: Adult; 0301 basic medicine; Adolescent; Diagnostic Tests, Routine; Sputum; Mycobacterium tuberculosis; Sensitivity and Specificity; 3. Good health; Young Adult; 03 medical and health sciences; Vietnam; Predictive Value of Tests; Humans; Tuberculosis

Community-wide active case finding for tuberculosis (TB) using Xpert® MTB/RIF as the primary screening tool, Ca Mau Province, Viet Nam.To determine whether macroscopic sputum quality characteristics (sputum colour and volume) can be used to predict Xpert MTB-negative hence exclude samples from testing.Field staff conducted household visits approximately 51,200 adults in 58 villages randomly selected throughout province. Sputum all screened participants who were able produce ⩾1 ml underwent assessment tested with Xpert.Of 21,624 tested, 159 (0.74%) MTB-positive; 93% of 1-2 nearly mucoid (93%) or mucopurulent (5.7%). One salivary sample was MTB-positive (2.0% samples). The lowest positive predictive value any volume characteristic 0.66%. This not substantially different overall prevalence MTB (0.74%).Sputum cannot presence absence M. detected Xpert. These parameters therefore testing TB.