MRCP UK EXAMINATIONS

Detailed explanation-1: -There are two kinds of tests used to detect TB bacteria in the body: the TB skin test (TST) and TB blood tests. A positive TB skin test or TB blood test only tells that a person has been infected with TB bacteria.

Detailed explanation-2: -Sputum smear microscopy is the main tool for the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB), especially in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs). Limited sensitivity of smear microscopy and patient dropouts (PDs) are the important obstacles of national TB control programs.

Detailed explanation-3: -Sputum smear microscopy is one of the most efficient tools for identifying people with infectious TB. Smear-positive patients are up to ten times more likely to be infectious than are smear-negative patients.

Detailed explanation-4: -A smear-positive individual had at least one positive respiratory sample prior to the initiation of anti-tuberculosis therapy. A smear-negative individual had to have at least three respiratory samples submitted for analysis and all samples submitted prior to initiation of therapy had to be negative.