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Int J Tuberc Lung Dis
; 3(12): 1137-9, 1999 Dec.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-10599020
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the utility of sputum induction in the large-scale tuberculosis control program. METHODS: Prospective study on sputum induction for improving the diagnostic yield of pulmonary tuberculosis, and estimation of the direct costs for sputum induction. RESULTS: Of 1,648 tuberculosis suspects with poor or absent sputum production, induced sputum was smear-positive in 558 patients (353 previously smear-negative, 97 inadequate sputum and 108 unproductive). The direct cost per induced sputum was US $0.37. CONCLUSION: Sputum induction is an effective, low-cost, and simple technique for improving the smear-positive case detection rate in a tuberculosis control program.