Authors: G.F. Kusznierz¹; O.A. Latini²; M.D. Sequeira¹

Source: The International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, Volume 8, Number 10, October 2004 , pp. 1234-1241(8)

Publisher: International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease

Abstract:

SETTING: Tuberculosis Laboratory Network, Argentina.

OBJECTIVES: 1) To evaluate the technical quality of smear microscopy for acid-fast bacilli (AFB) supervised in 1983–2001, and 2) to analyse the effect of procedural errors on the results.

DESIGN: Registers of technical evaluation results for AFB microscopy were analysed. The quality of specimens, smears, staining and readings were evaluated, as was the relationship between these parameters.

RESULTS: The proportion of good quality specimens was considered acceptable. A direct relationship was demonstrated between positivity in results and mucopurulent sputum. The proportion of thin smears was relatively high. Positivity and bacillary count were lower in thin smears. Staining quality was considered good. The average agreement in readings throughout the country was 98%. Nevertheless, the false-positive rate was considered significant, and 46% of false-positive results were associated with defective staining.

CONCLUSIONS: The technical quality and agreement in the laboratory network were satisfactory. Nevertheless, improvements need to be made in the following: the quality of the smears, staining and reading, coverage, decentralisation of supervision, the slide selection method and data registration. Operational research on the storage and preservation of slides is also necessary.

Keywords: tuberculosis; quality control; microscopy; acid-fast bacilli; quality assurance

Document Type: Regular paper

Affiliations: 1: Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Santa Fe, Argentina 2: Comisión Argentina de Bacteriología de la Tuberculosis, Santa Fe, Argentina

Publication date: 2004-10-01

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• The International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease publishes articles on all aspects of lung health, including public health-related issues such as training programmes, cost-benefit analysis, legislation, epidemiology, intervention studies and health systems research. The IJTLD is dedicated to the continuing education of physicians and health personnel and the dissemination of information on tuberculosis and lung health world-wide.

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