[Laboratory diagnostic methods in primary pulmonary tuberculosis in adults]

A comprehensive clinical and roentgenological evaluation was done in 495 patients with primary tuberculosis aged more than eighteen. The clinical pattern of primary forms of the specific process was characterized by predominance of tuberculosis of intrathoracic lymph nodes (tumorous form) infiltrative tuberculosis of pararoot or lower-lobe localization, and exudative pleurisy. Primary tuberculosis was diagnosed in 56.4% of adults. Examination of sputum for changed forms of MBT increases the frequency of verification of diagnosis by 16.0% in comparison with conventional microbiological assays. Primary tuberculosis of the respiratory system in 63.5% of adults runs its course against the background of significant disorders of T- and B-systems of lymphocytes, antituberculous immune defence and bodily metabolic processes. The use of a complex of immunologic studies was found to promote the accuracy of diagnosis of primary tuberculosis from 56.4% up to 79.6%, that of biochemical ones-from 56.4% to 77.5%.