SPUTUM MICROSCOPY RESULTS AT 2 AND 3 MONTHS PREDICT OUTCOME OF TUBERCULOSIS TREATMENT

Authors
ZHAO FZ LEVY MH WEN SM
Citation
Fz. Zhao et al., SPUTUM MICROSCOPY RESULTS AT 2 AND 3 MONTHS PREDICT OUTCOME OF TUBERCULOSIS TREATMENT, The international journal of tuberculosis and lung disease, 1(6), 1997, pp. 570-572
Citations number
5
Categorie Soggetti
Respiratory System","Infectious Diseases
Journal title
The international journal of tuberculosis and lung disease → ACNP
ISSN journal
10273719
Volume
1
Issue
6
Year of publication
1997
Pages
570 - 572
Database
ISI
SICI code
1027-3719(1997)1:6<570:SMRA2A>2.0.ZU;2-X
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To assess the importance of monitoring sputum conversion as an early treatment indicator of treatment success. METHODS: Retrospec tive analysis of sputum conversion in a cohort of 'cured' tuberculosis patients. RESULTS: Of 65 (95%) patients whose sputum converted in the third month of treatment, 62 were cured; only 21 of 35 (10%) patients whose sputum was still positive at the end of three months of treatme nt were ultimately cured. CONCLUSION: Sputum conversion during the thi rd month of treatment is an important predictor of treatment success; failure to convert predicts treatment failure.