Background: The objective of this study was to assess the impact of sputum quality and quantity on smear and culture positivity for Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Methods: A total of 14 708 sputum specimens, collected from respiratory symptomatics in a TB prevalence survey, were evaluated for gross appearance and volume of sputum and examined by smear microscopy and culture.
Results: The smear and culture positivity increased with the quantity and the up gradation in quality of sputum, and the difference was significant.
Objective: To determine the seroprevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B and C viruses (HBV, HCV), and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) in the tribal population of central India.
Methods: A community-based cross-sectional survey was carried out in the tribal population of Jabalpur district. Blood samples were drawn from 326 patients with sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and 526 randomly selected adults.