Sputum induction to improve the diagnostic yield in patients with suspected pulmonary tuberculosis

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the utility of sputum induction in the large-scale t uberculosis control program. METHODS: Prospective study on sputum induction for improving the diagnostic yield of pulmonary tuberculosis, and estimation of the direct costs for sp utum induction. RESULTS: Of 1648 tuberculosis suspects with poor or absent sputum productio n, induced sputum was smear-positive in 558 patients (353 previously smear- negative, 97 inadequate sputum and 108 unproductive). The direct cost per i nduced sputum was US $0.37. CONCLUSION: Sputum induction is an effective, low-cost, and simple techniqu e for improving the smear-positive case detection rate in a tuberculosis co ntrol program.