Laryngeal swabs for diagnosing tuberculosis

The value of smear and culture of laryngeal swabs as a method of confirming pulmonary tuberculosis was investigated in Indian children. A total of 116 children with 'suspected' tuberculosis had a Mantoux test and chest X-ray. Of these, 51 had a positive Mantoux and/or chest X-ray compatible with tub erculosis, and this group had two laryngeal swabs taken on each of 3 consec utive days. The Mantoux rest was positive in 37 (73%) of the 51 'probable' cases. Chess X-ray was abnormal in 36 (71%) cases and compatible with tuber culosis in 20 (39.7%). Mycobacterium tuberculosis was cultured from larynge al swabs in 14 (28%) children and in another three children smears were pos itive but culture-negative. The overall confirmation rate for tuberculosis was 33%. Laryngeal swabs are a simple method of confirming tuberculosis and may be undertaken in out-patients.