Approaches to the diagnosis of smear-negative and sputum-scarce TB in South Africa

In South Africa, an HIV-endemic setting, the burden of smear-negative (SN) and sputum-scarce (SS) TB is a major public health catastrophe. Diagnostic delay or failure is a key bottleneck. We hypothesised that i) assisted sputum smpling using sputum induction (SI), and ii) the use of the newer diagnostic tools (Xpert MTB/RIF and urine LAM strip), could improve diagnosis of SN or SSTB and impact clinical care. We investigated the accuracy and impact of these approaches at different levels in the health-system.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Department of Medicine

Year dc:date.issued

2013

Author dc:creator

• Peter, Jonathan G

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Dheda, Keertan

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/3453

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/3453