Six Cases in which Smear Positiveness Continues during Treatment

Bacteriology method is used for diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis. Detection of acid- resistant bacillus (ARB) in smear is a cost effective and simple way of diagnosis. Also, it is significant for showing contamination. However detecting acid- resistant bacillus does not provide information about the type and viability of bacilli. Positive sputum smear was detected in 3rd, 5 th and 6 th month’s controls of the six patients who began treatment with diagnosis of smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis. No breeding occurred in sample cultures with positive smear. Gender of the patients’ was male. Average of age was 53 (47-56). 4 patients were smokers and 2 patients were ex-smokers. Only 1 patient was using alcohol. 3 patients did not have any extra diseases. 1 patient was on extra treatment for hypertension while 1 patient for depression and 1 patient for rectum ca. Cavity was detected at the radiological of all patients and lesions were bilateral. Sputum culture conversion was ensured in 2 nd month in 1 patient while it was ensured in 3 rd month in another patients. All patients are detected as sensitive for H,R,E,S in drug sensitivity test. Patients had received tuberculosis treatment for 8-9 months. Smear ARB painting method is very important both for detecting the disease severity and basil load before treatment and also for evaluation of patient’s respond to treatment. Positive sputum smears later during treatment may indicate continued excretion of dead bacilli rather than treatment failure.