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Systematic reviews
October 2006
Improving sputum microscopy
FIND has been working with WHO and other partners to examine ways to improve the
sensitivity or speed of microscopy, the most widely used method to diagnose
tuberculosis. As part of that process, a systematic review of the literature was
performed to examine three questions.
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What benefit
in sensitivity can be gained by using fluorescence
microscopy?
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What sputum
processing methods offer the greatest increase in diagnostic
yield?
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Is examination
of 2 sputum samples sufficient, or are 3 required?
These systematic reviews informed a key meeting of experts on
microscopy co-sponsored by WHO, TDR, and FIND which was held at
WHO on 1-2 September 2006. The following publications summarize
the information gained in the systematic review process, led by
FIND collaborator Dr. Madhu Pai.
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