title: A simple and improved method for diagnosis of tuberculosis using hypertonic saline and sodium hydroxide to concentrate and decontaminate sputum.
abstract: We report the use of hypertonic saline and sodium hydroxide (HS-SH) for concentration-decontamination of sputum samples for the diagnosis of tuberculosis. This method increases detection of mycobacteria in smears compared to examination of direct smears, is comparable and reduces contamination in cultures compared to NALC-NaOH.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Medicina Tropical Alexander von Humboldt, Av. Honorio Delgado 430, Lima 31, Republic of Peru. jricaldi@ucsd.edu
authors.forename: Jessica N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Ricaldi
authors.forename: Humberto
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Guerra
mesh_terms: D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D003666:Decontamination / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012462:Saline Solution, Hypertonic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012972:Sodium Hydroxide / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000379:methods; D013183:Sputum / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000382:microbiology*; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D012462:Saline Solution, Hypertonic; D012972:Sodium Hydroxide