title: Improving tuberculosis control through the partnership between university and the health system.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Tuberculosis (TB) control is linked to the availability of qualified methods for microbiological diagnostics; however, microscopy with limited sensitivity is the only method available in many locations. The objective of this study was to evaluate the introduction of culture, drug susceptibility testing (DST), and genotyping in the routine of a Municipal Program of Tuberculosis Control.
  
  
  METHODS
  Direct microscopy of sputum and culture in Ogawa-Kudoh were performed on 1,636 samples from 787 patients. DST of positive cultures was performed by resazurin microtiter assay and genotyping by mycobacterial interspersed repetitive units-variable number tandem repeat.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total 91 patients with TB were identified. The culture increased case detection by 32% compared with the microscopy; acquired resistance was 3.3% and the genotyping showed high genetic diversity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ogawa-Kudoh contributed significantly to the increase in case detection and is suitable for implementation in poor-resource locations. The acquired resistance rate was lower than that reported in a recent Brazilian survey. The high genetic diversity is possibly related to the high TB prevalence in the population, as well as to early detection and suitable treatment of patients. The interaction between research and health care is important for reorienting the practice, transferring technology, and improving TB control.
authors: Laboratório de Micobatérias e Biologia Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande, Rio Grande, RS, Brasil.
authors: Mariana Soares
authors: MS
authors: Valença
authors: Jeane Zanini
authors: JZ
authors: da Rocha
authors: Ivy Bastos
authors: IB
authors: Ramis
authors: Lillian Lucas
authors: LL
authors: Carrion
authors: Catiúcia
authors: C
authors: Madruga
authors: Maíra Bidart
authors: MB
authors: de Macedo
authors: Carlos James
authors: CJ
authors: Scaini
authors: Andrea
authors: A
authors: von Groll
authors: Pedro Eduardo Almeida
authors: PE
authors: da Silva
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006078:Government Programs; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D008875:Middle Aged; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013183:Sputum / Q000382:microbiology*; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult