Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 19, 2026
A Tuberculosis Molecular Bacterial Load Assay TB-MBLA
Published on: April 30, 2020
Integrating active tuberculosis case finding in antenatal services in Zambia
N Kancheya1, D Luhanga1, J B Harris2
1Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia.
Setting:
Three out-patient antenatal care (ANC) clinics in Lusaka, Zambia.
Objective:
To estimate tuberculosis (TB) prevalence in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected and symptomatic, non-HIV-infected pregnant women and explore the feasibility of routine TB screening in ANC settings.
Design:
Peer educators administered TB symptom questionnaires to pregnant women attending their first ANC clinic visit. Presumptive TB patients were defined as all HIV-infected women and symptomatic non-HIV-infected women. Sputum samples were tested using smear microscopy and culture to estimate TB prevalence.
Results:
All 5033 (100%) women invited to participate in the study agreed, and 17% reported one or more TB symptoms. Among 1152 presumed TB patients, 17 (1.5%) had previously undiagnosed culture-confirmed TB; 2 (12%) were smear-positive. Stratified by HIV status, TB prevalence was 10/664 (1.5%, 95%CI 0. 7-2.8) among HIV-infected women and 7/488 (1.4%, 95%CI 0.6-2.9) among symptomatic non-HIV-infected women. In HIV-infected women, the only symptom significantly associated with TB was productive cough; symptom screening was only 50% sensitive.
Conclusion:
There is a sizable burden of TB in pregnant women in Zambia, which may lead to adverse maternal and infant outcomes. TB screening in ANC settings in Zambia is acceptable and feasible. More sensitive diagnostics are needed.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Pulmonary Tuberculosis V
Latent tuberculosis infection occurs when TB bacteria are present in a person's body, but are not causing illness or symptoms. It is not contagious, and preventive treatment is crucial to avoid the...
01:26Pulmonary Tuberculosis IV
Several diagnostic approaches are used to detect TB. The conventional method is the Tuberculin Skin Test (TST), also known as the Mantoux test. However, this method has...
01:29Pulmonary Tuberculosis I
Causative Organism
The primary infectious agent causing tuberculosis is Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a slow-growing, acid-fast, aerobic rod that exhibits sensitivity to heat and ultraviolet light. Instances of Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium contributing to the development of TB infection are rare.
Mode of...
01:28Pulmonary Tuberculosis II
Here is a detailed explanation of its pathophysiology:
Transmission: The process begins when a person inhales droplet nuclei containing M. tuberculosis. These are typically released into the air when an individual with pulmonary or...
01:31Pulmonary Tuberculosis III
The first classification is based on the development of the disease, and it includes the following categories:
01:25Transmission-based Precautions II: Airborne and Protective Environment
Airborne precautions:
Use airborne precautions when treating patients known or suspected to have diseases that spread through the air—for example, tuberculosis or measles. These organisms are present in smaller droplets expelled by an infected person and...