Evaluation of a diagnostic algorithm for smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis in HIV-infected adults.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of and reduction in diagnostic delay attributable to a clinical algorithm used for the diagnosis of smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis (SNPTB) in HIV-infected adults.


METHODS
An algorithm was designed to facilitate clinicoradiological diagnosis of pulmonary TB (PTB) in HIV-infected smear-negative adult patients. A folder review was performed on the first 58 cases referred for empirical TB treatment using this algorithm.


METHODS
Nolungile HIV Clinic, Site C, Khayelitsha.


METHODS
Subjects included 58 HIV-infected adult patients with suspected PTB consecutively referred to the local TB clinic for outpatient TB treatment using this algorithm between 12 February 2004 and 30 April 2005.


METHODS
Outcome measures were response of C-reactive protein, haemoglobin, weight and symptoms to TB treatment, and TB culture result. Diagnostic delay (in days) was calculated.


RESULTS
Thirty-two of the 58 patients (55%) had positive TB cultures (definite TB). Initiation of TB treatment occurred on average 19.5 days before the positive culture report. A further 21 patients (36%) demonstrated clinical improvement on empirical treatment (probable/possible TB). Two patients did not improve and subsequently died without a definitive diagnosis. Three patients defaulted treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
SNPTB is more common in HIV-infected patients and leads to diagnostic delay. This algorithm allowed for earlier initiation of TB treatment in HIV-infected patients presenting with symptoms of PTB and negative smears or nonproductive cough in a high TB incidence setting.
Saranchuk
P
P
Médecins Sans Frontières, Cape Town, South Africa.
Boulle
A
A
Hilderbrand
K
K
Coetzee
D
D
Bedelu
M
M
van Cutsem
G
G
Meintjes
G
G
D000328:Adult; D000465:Algorithms; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011320:Primary Health Care; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013019:South Africa; D013183:Sputum / Q000382:microbiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy