Meaning of the radiometric method bactec 460 TB for the application of antituberculosis therapy

: Retrospective analysis of 143 patients without AFB in sputum in direct bacteriological examination was performed. In 84 patients tuberculosis was suspected on the basis of chest x-ray picture, positive tuberculine skin test and pleural fluid analysis (lymphocytes > 50%). Bacteriological analysis of sputum, BAL and pleural fluid by BACTEC and L-J culture allowed to recognise tbc in 55 patients: 41/84 patients suspected of tbc and in 14/55--not previously suspected of tbc. Generally tuberculosis was diagnosed in 82 pts. In 16 of 55 patients antituberculous treatment was introduced according to BACTEC results. It was especially important in 10 patients not suspected of tbc.