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Diagnosis of Tuberculosis : Experience with Use of an Immunochromatographic Assay in a Nigerian Hospital
Abstract
Aim: To evaluate an immunochromatographic assay method in the serodiagnosis of tuberculosis.
Patients and Methods: Thirty participants, 25 patients and five normal individuals were studied between July and October 2001. 40μL of whole blood or 20μL of serum was used in the test for each kit. Using sputum smear microscopy as gold standard, the new method was compared with x-ray diagnosis
Results: The sensitivity, specificity and efficiency of the new immunodiagnostic method were 89.5%, 77.7% and 85.7% while that of X-ray were 75%, 50% and 66.6% respectively.
Conclusion: The new immunodiagnostic method gave better results in sensitivity, specificity (as well as in other performance indices) than X-ray diagnosis. The new test is rapid, reliable and field operable.
Key Words: Tuberculosis, Nigeria, Immunodiagnosis
Journal of College of Medicine Vol.9(1) 2004: 42-44
Patients and Methods: Thirty participants, 25 patients and five normal individuals were studied between July and October 2001. 40μL of whole blood or 20μL of serum was used in the test for each kit. Using sputum smear microscopy as gold standard, the new method was compared with x-ray diagnosis
Results: The sensitivity, specificity and efficiency of the new immunodiagnostic method were 89.5%, 77.7% and 85.7% while that of X-ray were 75%, 50% and 66.6% respectively.
Conclusion: The new immunodiagnostic method gave better results in sensitivity, specificity (as well as in other performance indices) than X-ray diagnosis. The new test is rapid, reliable and field operable.
Key Words: Tuberculosis, Nigeria, Immunodiagnosis
Journal of College of Medicine Vol.9(1) 2004: 42-44
