title: The small membrane filter method of microscopy to diagnose pulmonary tuberculosis.
abstract: We modified microscopy for acid-fast bacilli to diagnose tuberculosis (TB) using small membrane filters (SMFs) after special processing and prefiltration. With the first specimen obtained from each of 335 persons suspected of having TB, the sensitivity of the new SMF method using fluorescence microscopy (FM) was 89% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 80%, 95%). This was significantly better (P = 0.0001) than the sensitivity of routine FM of centrifuged specimens of 60% (95% CI: 49%, 71%) or that of direct sputum smears of 56% (95% CI: 40%, 72%).
authors.affiliation: Center for Emerging Pathogens, Department of Medicine, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA. Kevin.Fennelly@medicine.ufl.edu
authors.forename: Kevin P
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Fennelly
authors.forename: Carlos Gustavo
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Morais
authors.forename: David Jamil
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Hadad
authors.forename: Solange
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vinhas
authors.forename: Reynaldo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dietze
authors.forename: Moises
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Palaci
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005374:Filtration / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008853:Microscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000166:cytology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology*; D055815:Young Adult