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Updated: Jul 5, 2026

The MODS method for diagnosis of tuberculosis and multidrug resistant tuberculosis
Published on: August 11, 2008
A simple and improved method for diagnosis of tuberculosis using hypertonic saline and sodium hydroxide to
Jessica N Ricaldi1, Humberto Guerra
1Instituto de Medicina Tropical Alexander von Humboldt, Av. Honorio Delgado 430, Lima 31, Republic of Peru. jricaldi@ucsd.edu
Abstract:
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.
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