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The bleach microscopy method and case detection for tuberculosis control

Ramsay, Andrew, Squire, Bertie ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7173-9038, Siddiqi, K., Cunningham, J. and Perkins, M. D. (2006) 'The bleach microscopy method and case detection for tuberculosis control'. International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, Vol 10, Issue 3, pp. 256-258.

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Abstract

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union) recommend direct sputum smear microscopy for tuberculosis (TB) case finding in resource-poor settings. This method is associated with poor sensitivity. Digestion of sputum with bleach prior to smear preparation has been reported to increase sensitivity. Some workers, having reviewed the relevant literature, have called for the WHO and The Union to advocate for a shift to this methodology for TB case finding. This article highlights deficiencies in the scope and detail of available evidence, and cautions against the premature, and possibly counter-productive, adoption of so-called 'bleach microscopy'. Further well-guided research is required to answer policy-relevant gaps in our knowledge about this promising technology.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: bleach hypochlorite microscopy tuberculosis sputum diagnosis sputum sedimentation diagnosis
Subjects: QY Clinical Pathology > Diagnostic Tests > QY 120 Sputum
WB Practice of Medicine > Diagnosis > General Diagnosis > WB 141 General works
WC Communicable Diseases > WC 20 Research (General)
WF Respiratory System > Tuberculosis > WF 200 Tuberculosis (General)
WF Respiratory System > Tuberculosis > WF 205 Epidemiology
WF Respiratory System > Tuberculosis > WF 205.1 General coverage
WF Respiratory System > Tuberculosis > WF 220 Diagnosis. Prognosis
Faculty: Department: Groups (2002 - 2012) > Clinical Group
Depositing User: Sarah Lewis-Newton
Date Deposited: 05 May 2011 15:51
Last Modified: 13 Nov 2019 11:21
URI: https://archive.lstmed.ac.uk/id/eprint/1581

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