Abstract
Introduction: Pakistan is a high tuberculosis (TB) burden country. As such, pre-immigration TB screening for Pakistani travelers is required by several countries. Positivity rate amongst this group has not been reported previously.Objectives: To assess the culture positivity rate of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) in pulmonary specimens received from prospective immigrants in Pakistan.Method: Data for MTB culture requested during 2008-2016 from prospective immigrants were retrieved from laboratory database. TB culture request was based on physician’s discretion. Identification and cultivation of MTB was performed at AKU laboratory using standard methods.Results: A total of 172 cases, for which TB smear and culture was requested were included. MTB culture was positive in 13/172 (7.5%) cases of which 5 were smear positive and 8 smear negative. One case was smear positive and culture negative. Three additional cases were positive for non tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM).Conclusion: Our data shows a high culture positivity rate in prospective immigrants screened for TB. Use of rapid diagnostic tests such as Xpert MTB/Rif in immigrants’ pre and post migration from high TB incidence areas may lead to an early diagnosis and treatment.
| Original language | Undefined/Unknown |
|---|---|
| Journal | Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine |
| Publication status | Published - 11 Jul 2018 |
