The sensitivity of our modified method was significantly higher than that of direct or concentrated smears. Overall, the modified method improved the detection rate of AFB in BALF specimens, and provided an efficient and accurate diagnosis of PTB in patients with suspected smear-negative PTB.
The sensitivity of T-SPOT.TB was lower due the paucibacillary nature of the samples, and the specificity was lower due to the high prevalence of latent tuberculous infection in the smear-negative TB patients. The T-SPOT.TB test should only be used as a supplementary test and not as a single test to rule in or rule out smear-negative TB.
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