Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 7, 2026

Antigen-Capture Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay for Specific Detection of Mycoplasma pneumoniae
Published on: February 24, 2023
Specificity and sensitivity of clinical diagnosis for chronic pneumonia
1Department of Infectious Diseases, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Islamic Republic of Iran. avijgan@yahoo.com
Abstract:
To compare clinical (non-invasive) diagnosis with bronchoscopic (invasive) diagnosis, a total of 50 patients with chronic pneumonia (sputum smear-negative for tuberculosis) were examined. Age range was 12-82 years. Sensitivity of clinical diagnosis was 100% for tuberculosis and 81.8% for lung cancer; specificity was 67.5% for tuberculosis and 89.7% for lung cancer. Clinical diagnosis was correct in 43.4% of cases suspected of tuberculosis and 69.2% of cases suspected of lung cancer. It may be reliable only for elderly women smokers. Because tuberculosis is over-diagnosed in endemic areas, bronchoscopy is strongly recommended for all cases of chronic pneumonia.
Related Concept Videos
Pneumonia III: Complications and Assessment
Atypical Pneumonia
Pneumonia II: Pathophysiology
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-IV: Assessement and Diagnostic Studies
Medical History
Sensitivity, Specificity, and Predicted Value
Sensitivity is the...
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease IV: Clinical Manifestations