An Evaluation of Sputum Smear Conversion and Haematological Parameter Alteration in Early Detection Period of New Pulmonary Tuberculosis (PTB) Patients

Sputum smear conversion after one month of antituberculosis therapy in new smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis patients (PTB+) is a vital indicator towards treatment success. The objective of this study is to determine the rate of sputum smear conversion in new PTB+ patients after one month under treatment of National Institute of Diseases of the Chest and Hospital (NIDCH). Analysis of sputum smear conversion was done by re-clinical examination with sputum smear microscopic test after one month. Socio-demographic and hematological parameters were evaluated to perceive the correlation with the disease status. Among all enrolled patients only 33.33% were available for follow up diagnosis and of them only 42.86% patients turned to smear negative. Probably this consequence is due to non-coherence to the proper disease management. 66.67% and 78.78% patients reported low haemoglobin and packed cell volume level respectively whereas 80% and 93.33% patients accounted accelerated platelet count and erythrocyte sedimentation rate correspondingly.




References:
[1] World Health Organization, "Tuberculosis", October 2012, fact sheet
N┬░104. Available from
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs104/en/
[2] S. Bawri, S. Ali, C. Phukan, B. Tayal, and P. Baruwa, "A study of
sputum conversion in new smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis
cases at the monthly intervals of 1st, 2nd & 3rd month under directly
observed treatment, short course (Dots) regimen", Lung India, July-
September 2008, vol. 25, no.3, pp. 118-123.
[3] K. P. Kaur, B. Arora, D. K. Chhina, V. Gupta, "Comprehensive
evaluation of patient characteristics and clinical parameters as a
diagnostic aid in tuberculosis", The Internet Journal of Laboratory
Medicine, 2012, vol. 5, no. 1.
[4] T. Talat, B. M. Bhatti, M. Yaqoob, "Comparative efficacy of
different laboratory techniques used in diagnosis of tuberculosis in
human population", Journal of Medical Sciences, 2002, vol. 2, issue
3, pp. 137-44.
[5] S. Isanaka et al, "Iron deficiency and anemia predict mortality in
patients with tuberculosis", The Journal of Nutrition, February 2012,
vol. 142, no. 2, pp. 350-357.
[6] C. D. Morris, A. R. Bird and H. Nell, "The haematological and
biochemical changes in severe pulmonary tuberculosis", The
Quarterly Journal of Medicine, December 1989, vol. 73, issue 3, pp.
1151-1159.
[7] G. Bozoky, E. Ruby, I. Goher, J. Toth and A. Mohos, "Hematologic
abnormalities in pulmonary tuberculosis", Orvosi Hetilap, April
1997, vol. 138, issue 17, pp. 1053-1056.
[8] O. A. Awodu, I. O. Ajayi and A. A. Famodu, "Haemorheological
variables in Nigeria pulmonary tuberculosis patients undergoing
therapy", Clinical Hemorheology Microcirculation, 2007, vol. 36,
no. 4, pp. 267-75.
[9] V. K. Diwan and A. Thorson, "Sex, gender, and tuberculosis", THE
LANCET, March 1999, vol. 353, pp. 1000-1001.
[10] M. W. Borgdorff, N. J. D. Nagelkerke, C. Dye and P. Nunn,
"Gender and tuberculosis: a comparison of prevalence surveys with
notification data to explore sex differences in case detection," The
International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, 2000, vol.
4, no. 2, pp. 123-132.
[11] S. A. Qazi, S. Khan and M. A. Khan, "Epidemiology of childhood
tuberculosis in a hospital is setting", Journal of Pakistan Medical
Association, Pakistan, June 1998, pp. 164-167.
[12] T. Nyirenda, "Epidemiology of tuberculosis in Malawi", Malawi
Medical Journal: Special Edition on Burden of Disease in Malawi I,
Malwai, September 2006, vol. 18, no. 3, pp. 147-159.
[13] C. W. Schmidt, "Linking TB and the Environment: An Overlooked
Mitigation Strategy", Environ Health Perspect, November 2008, vol.
116, no. 11, pp. A478.
[14] M. N. A. Gomez, J. Alcaide, P. Godoy, M. A. Romero and I. H. Rey,
"Clinical and epidemiological aspects of smoking and tuberculosis:
A study of 13038 cases," The International Journal of Tuberculosis
and Lung Disease, April 2005, vol. 9, no. 4, pp. 430-436(7).
[15] M. N. Bates et al, "Risk of tuberculosis from exposure to tobacco
smoke," Archives of Internal Medicine, 2007, vol. 167, pp. 335-342.