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Sputum microscopy results at two and three months predict outcome of tuberculosis treatment
Abstract
Objective:
To assess the importance of monitoring sputum conversion as an early treatment indicator of treatment success.
Methods:
Retrospective analysis of sputum conversion in a cohort of 'cured' tuberculosis patients.
Results:
Of 65 (95%) patients whose sputum converted in the third month of treatment, 62 were cured; only 21 of 35 (60%) patients whose sputum was still positive at the end of three months of treatment were ultimately cured.
Conclusion:
Sputum conversion during the third month of treatment is an important predictor of treatment success; failure to convert predicts treatment failure.