Increasing sputum samples for testing improves diagnostic yield of Mycobacterium avium complex pulmonary disease
Nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease (NTM-PD) is increasing in incidence worldwide and has become an important concern
An increasing number of sputum specimens for testing improves diagnostic yield of Mycobacterium avium complex pulmonary disease suggests a new study published in the BMC Pulmonary Medicine.
In Mycobacterium avium complex pulmonary disease (MAC-PD), diagnosis requires a positive culture from at least two separate expectorated sputum specimens. The optimal number of sputum examinations remains unclear.
This study sought to elucidate the diagnostic yield of acid-fast bacilli in MAC-PD using 3 sputum specimens and to clarify the clinical characteristics of patients with MAC-PD diagnosed using 3 sputum specimens. Furthermore, we investigated the correlation between increased number of sputum specimens and diagnostic yield.
They reviewed the medical records of 139 patients with MAC-PD diagnosed at Toho University Omori Medical Center for whom at least three sputum specimens were examined before treatment from November 2014 through June 2021. Patients were classified into the 3-sputum diagnosed and the non-3 sputum diagnosed groups based on diagnostic procedure; clinical and radiological characteristics were compared. We also assessed diagnostic yield with the increased number of sputum specimens.
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