Prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis among respiratory symptomatic subjects in patients presenting in the out patient clinic at a tertiary health care centre in rohilkhand region.

Rajesh Agarwal; V k Tiwari; Rajat Agarwal; Nishant Gupta

Volume : V, Issue : II, February - 2016

Prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis among respiratory symptomatic subjects in patients presenting in the out patient clinic at a tertiary health care centre in rohilkhand region.

Rajesh Agarwal, V K Tiwari, Rajat Agarwal, Nishant Gupta

Abstract :

Aims and objectives : To determine the prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis among respiratory symptomatic subjects in an out-patient primary health unit. Methods : A prospective study was conducted in the department of pulmonary medicine, Rohilkhand Medical College and Hospital, Bareilly. The suspected patients were subjected to a complete set of detailed history and examination . Socio-demographic data were collected during the history examination. The RSI ( respiratory symptomatic individuals) provided sputum specimens for detection of acid fast bacilli . The patients sputum was examined under a fluoroscent microscope using an auramine rhodamine stain in the RNTCP certified designated microscopy centre(DMC) laboratory by the experienced lab techinicians. Results : Among the 110 patients with reported respiratory symptoms studied for more than two weeks were enrolled into the study from november 2014 to november 2015. Amongst the cases studies 30 individuals reported positive for AFB( acid fast bacilli) on sputum smear microscopy. Conclusions : The prevalance of pulmonary tuberculosis is high in the rohilkhand region . The patients who present with the respiratory symptoms esp. with the cough with expectoration for more than 2 weeks with lesions on the chest x ray should be considered for pulmonary tuberculosis on priority basis so as to initiate the treatment as soon as possible and to minimize the risk of spread of the infection. 