[Optimization of the number of bacteriologic tests in the diagnosis of tuberculosis]

A retrospective analysis over three years in the Cantonal Hospital of Basel favours the continued use of acid-fast smears in suspected tuberculosis. 54% of pulmonary tuberculosis cases can already be diagnosed with acid-fast smears. Smears of gastric aspirates and urine specimens can usually be dispensed with, as the false-positive quotation is much too high (18% for gastric aspirates and 89% for urine specimens). Where there are sputum specimens available, no additional cultures of gastric aspirates are necessary. If pulmonary tuberculosis is diagnosed, cultures of urine specimens are recommended as a means of searching for (probable) urogenital infection.