A simple and improved method for diagnosis of tuberculosis using hypertonic saline and sodium hydroxide to concentrate and decontaminate sputum.

We report the use of hypertonic saline and sodium hydroxide (HS-SH) for concentration-decontamination of sputum samples for the diagnosis of tuberculosis. This method increases detection of mycobacteria in smears compared to examination of direct smears, is comparable and reduces contamination in cultures compared to NALC-NaOH.