How many sputum samples should be examined during follow-up of tuberculosis patients in Myanmar: two or one?
Abstract
Setting 10 selected microscopy centres in Sagaing Region, Myanmar, functioning under an external quality assurance system with no reported major errors. Objective To assess the pattern of serial sputum results (NN, both smear-negative; NP, first smear-negative and second smear-positive; PN, first smear-positive and second smear-negative; and PP, both smear-positive) among follow-up sputum microscopy examinations of tuberculosis (TB) patients (end of intensive phase, mid-continuation phase and end of treatment) conducted from 1 November 2017 to 15 April 2018. This research was supported by the UK Department for International Development’s Operational Research Capacity Building Programme led by the International Union Against TB and Lung Disease (The Union)