Diagnostic photofluorography and sputum microscopy in tuberculosis case-finding

Nagpaul, D.R.; Naganathan, N. and Prakash, M. (1974) Diagnostic photofluorography and sputum microscopy in tuberculosis case-finding. In: 9th Eastern Region Tuberculosis Conference and 29th National Conference on Tuberculosis and Chest Disease, New Delhi, India.

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Abstract

Now that sputum microscopy is coming to the fore in tuberculosis case-finding, it has become necessary to examine its value from various angles. The value of a case-finding procedure should be judged by its relative ability to bring real patients of tuberculosis to treatment. The procedure’s technical sensitivity and specificity have to be judged first followed by quantification of loss of patients that occurs at the point of offering treatment, on account of operational factors comprising the procedure. Cost also is one of the decisive considerations. Photofluorography followed by sputum examination of the eligibles by smear as well as culture is standard epidemiological survey procedure. Dual independent and umpire readings of photofluorograms and examination of more than one sputum specimens have improved sensitivity and specificity of this procedure sufficiently, although measures sometimes taken to raise sensitivity may lower specificity and vice versa.

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