Smear grading at initial treatment association with treatment outcomes among new smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis patients: A retrospective study.

Introduction: Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the most challenging diseases in diagnosis, treatment and control. We aimed to assess the association of the initial grading of Mycobacterium Sputum Smear (MSS) on the outcomes of TB treatment.

Materials And Methods: In a retrospective study, data of 418 positive pulmonary smear patients were retrieved from the TB registration system in Iran during 2014 to 2021.