Abstract
Introduction: In our institution, patients with suspected pulmonary TB undergo multiple induced-sputum sampling for microscopy, culture and nucleic acid amplification (NAA) with the MTD® Gen-probe assay. Those with negative induced-sputum results still suspected with TB are then referred for bronchoscopy. We sought to determine the diagnostic yield of bronchoscopy in these patients with negative initial induced-sputum results both via smear and NAA testing. Methods: We identified 30 consecutive cases of suspected pulmonary TB between 2001 and 2007, who had undergone a diagnostic bronchoscopy after negative results on induced-sputum smears and the MTD® Gen-probe on at least 2 samples. Results: The cohort (M = 20 & F = 10) had a median age of 37 (range 16-85 yrs); were predominantly foreign born (27/30); HIV-negative (29/30) individuals with strongly positive TST's (mean 18 + 5 mm). Induced-sputum cultures were negative for M-TB in all patients after a full 60-day incubation period. BAL was culture positive for M-TB in 3/30 cases (10%) with 2 strains being pan-sensitive and the third being INH resistant. BAL microscopy with acid-fast smear (n = 30) and BAL Gen-probe (n = 23) were negative in all cases. A third of the patients (9/27, 33%) with negative bronchoscopy results were treated for culture negative TB. Treatment for latent TB was initiated in 5/27 (18%) individuals whereas 13/27 (48%) received no further treatment. Conclusion: Bronchoscopy provided diagnostic confirmation of pulmonary TB in 10% of subjects at least 2 negative induced-sputum samples by smear microscopy and NAA testing.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 1084-1090 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Respiratory Medicine |
Volume | 105 |
Issue number | 7 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jul 2011 |
Keywords
- Bronchoscopy
- Nucleic acid amplification (NAA)
- Tuberculin skin test (TST)
- Tuberculosis (TB)
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine