1. Characteristics of smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis with normal chest radiographic findings during a tuberculosis outbreak in northeast Malaysia: A cross-sectional study.
- Author
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Abdul Muin, Mohd Redhuan, Yusof, Abu Bakar Mohd., Ahmad Fuat, Mohd Shahriman, Amri, Nur Syafiqa, Amirudin, Noor Faizah, Wan Mohd Zohdi, Wan Wahida, Ibrahim, Idora, Ahmad, Arfah, Muhammad, Irham Nordeena, Ahmad, Abdul Jalil, Majid, Jasmaniah Abdul, and bin Ibrahim, Mohd Zukri
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EXTRAPULMONARY tuberculosis , *MYCOBACTERIUM tuberculosis , *TUBERCULOSIS , *LUNG diseases , *DISEASE outbreaks - Abstract
Introduction: Tuberculosis (TB) remains a highly prevalent disease in Malaysia. Early identification using cost-effective methods such as chest radiography can reduce the health burden of a TB epidemic. However, normal chest radiographic findings are common. This study aimed to evaluate the characteristics of smear-positive pulmonary TB with normal chest radiographic findings during an outbreak. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted by reviewing the medical records of 56 pulmonary TB cases registered at Kodiang Health Clinic from April to October 2022. Smear-negative and extrapulmonary TB cases were excluded. Relevant information was extracted from the medical records and recorded in a case report form for data management and analysis. Results: Approximately 60.7% of the cases had symptoms lasting >2 weeks, and 89.3% showed abnormal findings upon clinical examination. Additionally, 73.2% had sputum acid-fast bacilli counts of ≥1+, and the sputum Mycobacterium tuberculosis culture and sensitivity test findings were positive in 82.1% of the cases. The proportion of smear-positive pulmonary TB with normal chest radiographic findings was 42.9%. The factors associated with smear-positive pulmonary TB with normal chest radiographic findings included being under 18 years old (P=0.021), being a student (P=0.010), being single (P=0.012) and being asymptomatic (P=0.04). Conclusion: Normal chest radiographic findings may lead to a misdiagnosis of smear-positive pulmonary TB, especially during an outbreak. Therefore, active case detection among close contacts with risk factors for normal radiographic findings should consider additional supportive tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
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