Impact of sputum quality and quantity on smear and culture positivity: findings from a tuberculosis prevalence study in central India.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to assess the impact of sputum quality and quantity on smear and culture positivity for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. METHODS: A total of 14 708 sputum specimens, collected from respiratory symptomatics in a TB prevalence survey, were evaluated for gross appearance and volume of sputum and examined by smear microscopy and culture. RESULTS: The smear and culture positivity increased with the quantity and the up gradation in quality of sputum, and the difference was significant. CONCLUSION: The study highlights the importance of visual screening of sputum specimens in the detection of pulmonary TB particularly in resource limited settings.

Seroprevalence of sexually transmitted viruses in the tribal population of Central India.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the seroprevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B and C viruses (HBV, HCV), and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) in the tribal population of central India. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional survey was carried out in the tribal population of Jabalpur district. Blood samples were drawn from 326 patients with sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and 526 randomly selected adults. These were tested for HIV, HBV, HCV, and HSV-2 using commercial ELISA kits. RESULTS: The prevalence of IgG antibodies to HSV-2 was 20.8% in STI patients compared to 12.4% in the general population. The HBV carriage rate was 3.4% in STI patients against 2.9% in the general population. HCV prevalence was 3.9% in STI patients and 4.6% in the general population. No HIV infection was found in the study population. CONCLUSIONS: In view of the high prevalence of viral STIs in the tribal community of Central India, there is a need to strengthen the STI control program in this under-privileged group.