ISSN: 0973-7510
E-ISSN: 2581-690X
In the present study, a total of 570 smears were prepared from 190 sputum samples treated with 5% Bleach ammonium sulphate(BAS), which were stained using Rapid – AFB Cold (RAC) and Hot Ziehl – Neelsen (HZN) staining methods. With Direct control (DC) used as gold standard, RAC smear microscopy demonstrated a sensitivity and specificity of 78% and 95% respectively, compared to 79% and 92% respectively for the HZN method. Comparison of smear results obtained from RAC and HZN methods were statistically highly significant (P < 0.0001). RAC staining method was found to be a suitable alternative to the HZN staining method in diagnosing Tuberculosis (TB) by smear microscopy in peripheral TB centers.
Cold stain, Ziehl- Neelsen stain, Bleach Ammonium Sulphate, Tuberculosis
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