The reliability of acid fast stained smears of gastric aspirate specimens.
A 23-year retrospective study of acid fast stains of unconcentrated gastric aspirate specimens revealed a specificity of 99% and a sensitivity of 30%. All positive smears were from patients with culture-proven mycobacterial disease. Although the sensitivity is low, a positive smear allows a significantly earlier identification of patients with mycobacterial infections when compared to culture.
Berean
K
K
Department of Pathology, Vancouver General Hospital, B.C., Canada.
Roberts
F J
FJ
D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D006801:Humans; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D013270:Stomach / Q000382:microbiology*; D013396:Suction; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology*