Table 4 Clinical, radiological and microbiological findings of 7 patients who had smear positive, culture negative results
From: Sputum microscopy for the diagnosis of HIV-associated pulmonary tuberculosis in Tanzania
Case | Smear 1 | Smear 2 | Smear 3 | Clinical features | Conclusion |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1+ (10 – 99 AFB/100 oil fields) | 1+ (10 – 99 AFB/100 oil fields) | 3 AFBs | Cavity on CXR; patient treated for TB and responded | TB |
2 | 1+ (10 – 99 AFB/100 oil fields) | Negative | Negative | Patient clinically well. Produced a total of 6 sputum specimens with only one positive smear | Not TB |
3 | 1+ (10 – 99 AFB/100 oil fields) | 1+ (10 – 99 AFB/100 oil fields) | Negative | Abdominal TB samples taken after TB Rx for 2 months. | TB |
4 | 3AFBs/100 oil fields | Negative | Negative | Patient clinically well. | Not TB |
5 | 6 AFBs/100 oil fileds | 2 AFBs/100 oil fields | Negative | Fever and peritonitis with ascites by ultrasound, CXR normal, samples taken after 2 months of treatment. | TB |
6 | 8 AFBs/100 oil fields | Negative | Negative | Prolonged cough and fever, CXR consistent with TB. Treated for TB and improved remarkably. | TB |
7 | (> 10 AFB/oil field) | Negative | Negative | Culture positive pulmonary TB, repeat samples taken after 2 months of treatment | TB |