[Evaluation of different methods of detection and diagnosis for infectious pulmonary tuberculosis].

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the compare the efficiency and benefit of fluoroscopy and direct sputum examination.

METHOD

The suspected persons with pulmonary tuberculosis symptoms were enrolled to be examined with fluoroscopy, chest radiography, sputum smear and culture.

RESULT

The diagnostic procedure used by World Bank-loaned Tuberculosis Control Project in China is based on fluoroscopy screening. The miss-detection rates of smear positive, culture positive and bacteriological positive pulmonary tuberculosis were 10.5%, 28.3% and 28.2% respectively. Its accuracy of diagnosis was lower than that of direct sputum smear examination and the cost was higher.

CONCLUSION

Direct sputum smear examination seems to be the best diagnostic method for infectious pulmonary tuberculosis and suitable for application in rural areas.