A Comparison Of Three Versus Two Sputum Smear Microscopy In A Government Medical College, Patiala, India

Introduction: Under the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme of India, three sputum samples are examined and 2 samples positivity criteria are used for labeling the patient as sputum positive pulmonary tuberculosis. Recent studies advocate use of two samples (one spot & one morning) for diagnosis of Tuberculosis. The objective was to compare three versus two sputum smears and to study the relevance of third sputum sample for microscopy in the current practice under Revised National Tuberculosis and Control Programme.