A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF EFFICACY OF LARYNGEAL SWAB, BRONCHIAL LAVAGE, GASTRIC LAVAGE, AND DIRECT SPUTUM EXAMINATION METHODS IN DETECTING TUBERCLE BACILLI IN A SERIES OF 1,320 PATIENTS

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Abstract
Four methods of specimen collection to test for the presence of tubercle bacilli (sputum, laryngeal swab, and bronchial and gastric lavage) were employed in 1320 patients. Four techniques were used in examination of the specimens (direct microscopy, microscopy of concentrate, culture, and animal inoculation), the aim being to determine which method provided the highest yield of demonstrable tubercle bacilli. Sputum specimens yielded the best results, bronchial lavage being recommended when sputum examination is not possible. The bronchial technique was slightly superior to gastric lavage in terms of positive results and fairly similar in simplicity of performance. The advantage of the laryngeal swab method was confined to ease of performance as a significant difference of 5.4% was obtained when compared with bronchial lavage. The simplicity of the laryngeal swab method, however, recommends it for mass surveys.

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