Operational feasibility and multi-centric evaluation of 'TB sputum microscopy kit' for the direct detection of in field settings.

Background: India relies primarily on direct smear microscopy for tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis. However, the low sensitivity of smear microscopy emphasizes the need to improve its performance. We recently described the development of 'TB' kit which showed improved performance over direct smear microscopy at National Reference Laboratories (NRLs) in India.

Compatibility of a novel filter paper-based bio-safe sputum transport kit with line probe assay for diagnosing drug-resistant tuberculosis: a single-site evaluation study.

Background: Near-patient access to appropriate tests is a major obstacle for the efficient diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) and associated drug resistance.

Methods: We recently developed the "TB Concentration & Transport" kit for bio-safe, ambient-temperature transportation of dried sputum on -Filter, and the "TB DNA Extraction" kit for DNA extraction from -Filter for determining drug resistance by DNA sequencing. In the present study, we evaluated the compatibility of Kit-extracted DNA with Hain's line probe assays (LPAs), which are endorsed by National TB programmes for the detection of drug resistance in sputum collected from presumptive multidrug-resistant TB patients (=207).

Evaluation of 'TBDetect' sputum microscopy kit for improved detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis: a multi-centric validation study.

Objectives: The present study aimed to evaluate the performance of the 'TBDetect' kit-based bio-safe fluorescent microscopy filter (BioFM-Filter) microscopy in comparison with direct smear microscopy and culture for the detection of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) in a multi-centric setting in India.

Methods: The TBDetect kit enables sputum concentration through filtration using the BioFM-Filter for improved and bio-safe smear microscopy. We evaluated the performance of the TBDetect kit in a six-site multi-centric validation study on sputum collected from 2086 presumptive TB patients.

Sputum smear positivity at two months in previously untreated pulmonary tuberculosis patients.

Background And Objectives: In pulmonary tuberculosis, bacteriological status at two months affects subsequent treatment and prognosis. The effect on treatment outcome and risk factors for sputum conversion at two months treatment in previously untreated pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) patients was studied in the following report.

Methods: A 1:1 case-control study was performed from June 2006 to February 2008 on patients in the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Program in a tertiary level institute in Delhi, India.