[Evaluation of quality control of baciloscopy in tuberculosis diagnosis in Cuba]

This study was aimed at evaluating the diag-nosis of tuberculosis in Provincial Hygiene and Epidemiological Centers of the country including special municipality Isle of Youth. The quality control was performed on 4 382 sputum smears from January to December 2004 following the Manual of procedures of the National Tuberculosis Control program. Good quality in Ziehl Neelsen extension and staining was seen in 4003 smears (91.35%). The overall agreement coefficient between the National Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory and the rest of the provincial laboratories was 99.79%. Sensitivity and specificity figures were over 99%. These results showed the quality of sputum smears microscopy diagnosis at provincial laboratories and the need of carrying out permanent supervision, monitoring and re-training of staff in acid-fast bacilli test in order to lay down the foundations for the introduction of blind rechecking methods and panel of sputum smears, aimed at improving the tuberculosis diagnosis quality in Cuba.