Smear microscopy to diagnose tuberculosis early and prevent further transmission in a population with a high prevalence of HIV infection.
In western Europe, Portugal has the highest incidence of tuberculosis (TB). The quickest way to diagnose TB is with a positive smear. To evaluate the usefulness of smear microscopy in a population with a high HIV seroprevalence, TB patients admitted during the year 2000 were retrospectively analyzed. Of the 74 TB patients admitted, 45 (61%) had pulmonary TB, 11 having multiresistant (MR)-TB. Considering that only half of the patients with pulmonary TB had a positive smear, a high degree of clinical suspicion is of great importance. Appropriate isolation facilities for TB are much needed, in order to prevent nosocomial TB spread.
Valadas
E
E
Serviço de Doenças Infecciosas, Hospital de Santa Maria, Av. Prof Egas Moniz, P-1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal. emilia.valadas@clix.pt
Hänscheid
T
T
Fernandes
M L
ML
Antunes
F
F
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000821:virology; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000254:growth & development*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D010356:Patient Isolation; D011174:Portugal; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013183:Sputum / Q000382:microbiology*; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000821:virology