Comparative study of Throat Swab and Sputum smear examination for the detection of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis in suspected cases of Pulmonary Tuberculosis

Dr.V K Tiwari; Dr.A K Garg; Dr.Ashok Agrawal; Dr.Amit Kumar; Dr.Ankit Khurana

Volume : IV, Issue : III, March - 2015

Comparative study of Throat Swab and Sputum smear examination for the detection of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis in suspected cases of Pulmonary Tuberculosis

Dr. V K Tiwari, Dr. A K Garg, Dr. Ashok Agrawal, Dr. Amit Kumar, Dr. Ankit Khurana

Abstract :

Introduction : Tuberculosis is a major public health problem. Sputum smear microscopy is initial, rapid and most widely used test for diagnosis of Pulmonary tuberculosis. We have undertaken this study to evaluate the yield of Throat Swab examination for the diagnosis of Pulmonary tuberculosis. Aim : To compare the throat swab examination with sputum smear microscopy for the diagnosis of Pulmonary tuberculosis. Material and method : During a period of 8 months, 498 patients with signs and symptoms suggestive of Pulmonary Tuberculosis were sent for sputum examination as well as throat swab examination. Two sputum samples and two throat swab sample were collected from each patient (one spot and one morning ). The yield of sputum samples and throat swab sample were compared. Results : Out of 498 TB suspects, sputum smear approach could identify 111 patients where as Throat swab approach could identify 77 patients. Statistically significant difference was found in two approaches.(p‹0.00001) Conclusion : In the sputum producing patients, the throat swab examination results are not superior to sputum smear examination by microscopy. In the throat swab examination, the positivity grade depends on number of tubercular bacilli in sputum specimen.