Time between sputum examination and treatment in patients with smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis

The time between sputum examination and commencement of treatment in patien ts registered with smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) in four hosp itals in Malawi was investigated. Information was obtained in 701 of 887 pa tients who were registered over a 12-month period between 1997 and 1998: 86 % were started on treatment within 3 weeks of sputum examination, 14% were started after a 3-week interval and 6% after a 6-week interval. Such delays are unacceptable, for a number of reasons. Recommendations will go to prog ramme staff to repeat sputum examination in PTB suspects with an abnormal c hest radiograph whose negative sputum smears were examined more than 3 week s previously.