Smear results in the diagnosis of mycobacterioses using blue light fluorescence microscopy

Authors:
  • HPH M Pollock
    H M Pollock
  • EWE J Wieman
    E J Wieman
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Abstract
Examination of 6880 sputum specimens from untreated patients disclosed that 3.1% were positive for mycobacteria by fluorescence microscopy and 92.5% of these had positive cultures. There was a positive correlation between the number of organisms seen on smear and growth on culture. All specimens with positive smears and negative cultures contained rare or few acid-fast bacilli on the smear. Of the specimens with positive cultures and negative smears, 82% yielded < 25 colonies, whereas there were > 25 colonies from 93% of the specimens with positive smears and cultures. In a low prevalence, general hospital population, the primary acid-fast smear continued to be a reliable diagnostic tool.

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