title: Performance of LED Fluorescence Microscopy for the Diagnosis of Pulmonary Tuberculosis in HIV Positive Individuals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
abstract: Background. Despite its lower sensitivity, smear microscopy remains the main diagnostic method for pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) in resource-limited countries as TB culturing methods like LJ (Lowenstein-Jensen) are expensive to use as a routine base. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of LED-FM for the diagnosis of PTB in HIV positive individuals. Methods. Cross-sectional study was conducted in Zewditu Memorial Hospital and Teklehaimanot Health Center HIV/ART clinics in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Each sample was stained with ZN and Auramine O staining and examined with bright-field microscope and LED-FM microscope, respectively. LJ culture was used as a reference. Results. Out of 178 study participants, twenty-four (13.5%) patients were confirmed as positive for MTB with LJ culture. The yield of ZN microscopy and LED-FM in direct and concentrated sample was 3.9%, 8.4%, 6.2%, and 8.4%, respectively. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of direct ZN microscopy were 29.2%, 100%, 100%, and 90.1%, respectively, and of LED-FM microscopy in direct sputum sample were 62.5%, 100%, 100%, and 94.5%, respectively. Conclusion. LED-FM has better sensitivity for the diagnosis of PTB in HIV positive individuals as compared to conventional ZN microscopy. LED-FM can be used as an alternative to conventional ZN microscopy.
authors.affiliation: Biomedical Institute, College of Health Science, Mekelle University, P.O. Box 1871, Mekelle, Ethiopia.
authors.forename: Konjit
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Getachew
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, School of Medicine, College of Health Science, Addis Ababa University, P.O. Box 9086, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
authors.forename: Tamrat
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Abebe
authors.affiliation: Ethiopian Public Health Institute, P.O. Box 1248, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
authors.forename: Abebaw
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kebede
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, School of Medicine, College of Health Science, Addis Ababa University, P.O. Box 9086, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia ; Armauer Hansen Research Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
authors.forename: Adane
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mihret
authors.affiliation: Biomedical Institute, College of Health Science, Mekelle University, P.O. Box 1871, Mekelle, Ethiopia.
authors.forename: Getachew
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Melkamu