Cavitary disease and quantitative sputum bacillary load in cases of pulmonary tuberculosis

J Clin Microbiol. 2007 Dec;45(12):4064-6. doi: 10.1128/JCM.01780-07. Epub 2007 Oct 10.

Abstract

We examined sputum bacterial loads in adults with newly diagnosed tuberculosis using quantitative culture and time-until-positive (DTP) culture in BACTEC 460. Patients with cavitary disease had higher CFU levels than those without cavities and shorter DTPs. Within radiographic strata of moderately and far advanced tuberculosis, higher CFU counts were associated with cavitary disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Colony Count, Microbial
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis / isolation & purification*
  • Sputum / microbiology*
  • Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / microbiology*
  • Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / pathology*