Combination of bleach and flourescent microscopy: a milestone in the diagnosis of smear negative tuberculosis.
BACKGROUND
The reliability of direct smear microscopy for diagnosis of tuberculosis has frequently been questioned due to low sensitivity. Treatment of sputum with sodium hypochlorite (NaOCI) has been used to increase sensitivity in many settings. However, no study has established the effect of NaOCI on fluorescent microscopy.


OBJECTIVE
To establish whether NaOCI concentration method enhances positivity of fluorescent microscopy smear negative sputum for diagnosis of tuberculosis.


METHODS
A prospective study.


METHODS
Mbagathi District Hospital and Centre for Respiratory Diseases Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute.


RESULTS
Forty five (22%) specimens were culture positive. Fluorescent microscopy sensitivity was 28.9% and 22.2% after centrifugation and sedimentation with 3.5% NaOCI, respectively (P > 0.05). Sensitivity was 24.4% and 17.8% after centrifugation and sedimentation with 5% NaOCI, respectively (P > 0.05). Although there was no statistical significance difference between the two NaOCI concentration methods, 3.5% NaOCI with centrifugation indicated a higher yield.


CONCLUSIONS
Use of NaOCI significantly enhances positivity of smear negative sputum for diagnosis of tuberculosis when used with fluorescent microscopy. This approach could be recommended for screening all tuberculosis suspects especially in settings with potential smear negative tuberculosis.
Matu
S
S
Centre for Respiratory Diseases Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, P.O. Box 54840, Nairobi, Kenya.
Githui
W A
WA
Muthami
L N
LN
Makumi
J
J
Ngeranwa
J
J
Tunge
N
N
Juma
E
E
Karimi
F
F
D002498:Centrifugation; D019411:Clinical Laboratory Techniques; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011786:Quality Control; D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite; D013183:Sputum / Q000737:chemistry*; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology
D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite