ABSTRACT
Background and objectives: The objective of the present study is to evaluate the yield of AFB by direct sputum smear examination with Bronchial Washings and Post Bronchoscopy sputum smear examination. Materials and methods: This prospective study was conducted on 100 patients with suspected pulmonary TB October 2015 – September 2017 at S.V.S Medical College, Mahabubnagar. Results: Out of 100 clinically suspected, sputum smear negative cases, 38 cases were diagnosed as active pulmonary tuberculosis. Bronchial washings for AFB smear was positive in 32/100 (32%) of cases and post bronchoscopic sputum smear was positive in 16/100 (16%) of cases. Both bronchial washings and post bronchoscopic sputum smear for AFB was positive in 10 (10%) of cases. 4/16 additional cases are diagnosed by post bronchoscopic sputum smear over the bronchial washings. Total yield of bronchoscopy in the diagnosis of sputum negative Pulmonary Tuberculosis was A.N.V. Koteshwar Rao, L. Bhaskar, K. Vamshi, Pradyut Waghray. Yield of AFB by direct sputum smear examination with bronchial washings and post bronchoscopy sputum smear examination. IAIM, 2017; 4(11): 113-116. Page 114 38.00% of which bronchial washing smear samples are superior in the diagnosis and is contributed to 32% . Conclusion: It has shown that additional yield of 38% more than direct sputum smear examination, which helps to initiate early treatment of tuberculosis.