Yield of bronchoscopy for the diagnosis of tuberculosis in patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection.

The efficacy of bronchoscopy for the diagnosis of tuberculosis in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has not been systematically evaluated. We therefore compared the diagnostic yield of bronchoscopy in 67 HIV-infected and 45 non-HIV-infected patients with culture-proven pulmonary tuberculosis. In all cases, acid-fast smears of sputum were negative or not obtained prior to bronchoscopy. Prebronchoscopic sputum culture yielded Mycobacterium tuberculosis in 34 (89 percent) of 38 HIV-infected patients and 26 (93 percent) of 28 non-HIV-infected patients from whom specimens were obtained. Bronchoscopy provided an early diagnosis of tuberculosis (positive acid-fast smear or granulomata on biopsy) in 23 (34 percent) of the HIV-infected patients and 20 (44 percent) of the patients without HIV infection. The sensitivities of the acid-fast smear and of mycobacterial culture of bronchoscopic specimens and postbronchoscopic sputum were similar in patients with or without HIV infection. In HIV-infected patients, granulomatous inflammation was noted on transbronchial biopsy in 11 (19 percent) of 59 patients with HIV infection, compared to 16 (43 percent) of 37 patients without HIV infection (p = 0.01). Nevertheless, transbronchial biopsy provided the exclusive means for an early diagnosis of tuberculosis in six (10 percent) of 59 HIV-infected patients. We conclude that the yield of bronchoscopy for the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis in HIV-infected patients is similar to that in patients without HIV infection, and that transbronchial biopsy provides incremental diagnostic information not available from evaluation of sputum or bronchoalveolar lavage fluid.     

Tuberculosis in patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection. How often does it mimic Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia?

Adjunctive corticosteroid therapy is recommended for selected human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients with presumed Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. Because corticosteroids may exacerbate undiagnosed tuberculosis, we evaluated the frequency with which tuberculosis in HIV-infected patients mimics P carinii pneumonia. Over a 12-month period, we identified 105 HIV-infected patients with pleuropulmonary tuberculosis and 84 patients with P carinii pneumonia who were sufficiently hypoxemic to warrant corticosteroid therapy. Of the 105 patients with tuberculosis, acid-fast smears of clinical samples were positive in 49 cases, and chest roentgenographic findings suggested tuberculosis in an additional 44 cases. The 12 patients with negative acid-fast smears and nonspecific chest roentgenographic findings presented a potential diagnostic dilemma between tuberculosis and P carinii pneumonia. Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia should not have been a presumptive diagnosis of eight of these 12 patients because of absence of pulmonary symptoms and chest roentgenographic abnormalities (four cases), a CD4 count greater than 500/cu mm (three cases), or marked lymphadenopathy suggestive of tuberculosis (one case). Thus, only 4 percent (4/105) of HIV-infected patients with pleuropulmonary tuberculosis had clinical and chest roentgenographic features mimicking P carinii pneumonia. Two of these four patients were sufficiently hypoxemic to warrant corticosteroid therapy. Thus, if corticosteroids had been routinely used during the study period, 84 patients with P carinii pneumonia would have been treated, including two patients with undiagnosed tuberculosis. We conclude that the use of corticosteroids for presumed P carinii pneumonia carries a small but acceptable risk of inadvertent exacerbation of tuberculosis, provided clinical and chest roentgenographic features do not suggest tuberculosis.     

Undiagnosed tuberculosis in patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection

We describe the clinical features of 11 patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection in whom tuberculosis was undiagnosed and untreated prior to death. Most patients (9 of 11) had pulmonary complaints and 8 of 11 had roentgenographic findings suggestive of tuberculosis (hilar or mediastinal adenopathy, pleural effusion, apical infiltrate or miliary pattern). Despite these findings, tuberculin skin tests were not performed in any of the patients. Acid-fast smears of sputum were obtained in three cases and bronchoscopy performed in only four, reflecting the low index of suspicion for tuberculosis. Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia was the presumptive diagnosis in nine cases but was confirmed in only one case. Autopsy revealed tuberculosis as the cause of death in four patients. Of the seven patients who did not undergo autopsy, disseminated tuberculosis, manifest by mycobacteremia, was the only life-threatening illness identified and probably contributed to death. Increased awareness of the clinical and roentgenographic features of tuberculosis in HIV-infected patients, combined with more intensive use of acid-fast smears and tuberculin skin testing, are necessary in order to decrease mortality from this treatable complication of HIV-infection.     

Chest roentgenogram in pulmonary tuberculosis. New data on an old test

The utility of routine admission chest roentgenograms (CXRs) was evaluated in detecting pulmonary tuberculosis and the relationship between roentgenographic patterns and the likelihood of finding acid-fast bacilli (AFB) on sputum smear. Of 58 patients whose chief complaints were unrelated to pulmonary tuberculosis, the CXR suggested tuberculosis in 52 cases (90 percent). In 45 cases, the emergency room physician failed to elicit the patient's respiratory symptoms and did not consider tuberculosis as a diagnostic possibility. In 18 individuals, the diagnosis was missed in the emergency room because of failure to obtain a CXR. Among patients whose roentgenograms showed cavitation or extensive alveolar infiltrate, sputum smears showed AFB in 98 percent of cases. If alveolar infiltrate was absent, or if the roentgenographic pattern was not that of adult reactivation disease, sputum smears revealed AFB in only one half of the cases. We conclude that routine admission CXRs are useful in hospitals serving populations where tuberculosis is still common, and the probability of detecting AFB on sputum smear is greatly influenced by the roentgenographic findings.     

抗酸染色对肺结核的诊断价值

目的 了解结核分枝杆菌抗酸染色对肺结核的诊断价值。方法对98例确诊为继发型肺结核和血行播散型肺结核患者，统计分析痰液及纤支镜刷检液涂片抗酸染色情况。结果98例中抗酸染色阳性38例，阴性60例。10例经纤支镜刷检液涂片抗酸染色中，阳性6例。结论抗酸染色是诊断肺结核的常规方法，纤支镜刷检液涂片明显高于痰涂片法。     

Pulmonary tuberculosis in HIV-infected patients presenting with normal chest radiograph and negative sputum smear

Background: HIV-infected patients with pulmonary tuberculosis exhibit atypical radiological presentation and negative sputum smear more frequently than their HIV-negative counterparts. Patients and Methods: We performed a retrospective study based on a chart review of 146 HIV-infected patients with pulmonary symptoms and culture-proven pulmonary tuberculosis. We compared clinical characteristics and the outcome in 71 patients (49%) with positive sputum smear (SS+), 62 patients (42%) with negative sputum smear/abnormal chest X-ray (SS−/CXR+) and 13 patients (9%) with negative sputum smear/normal chest X-ray (SS−/CXR−). Patients were enrolled form January 1987 to December 1998, and were followed up until December 1999. Results: On hospital admission the three groups of patients examined did not differ significantly in demographic characteristics, degree of immunosuppression or Mycobacterium tuberculosis drug-susceptibility pattern. SS−/CXR− patients were significantly less likely to present with prolonged fever and dyspnea. Median survival was shorter for SS−/CXR− patients (6.4 months vs. 20.2 and 18.8 months in the other two groups). In multivariate analysis, SS−/CXR− patients had a significantly increased risk of death (hazard ratio 3.0, 95% confidence interval, 1.4 to 6.4, p = 0.004) compared to SS+ patients. This increase in risk was no longer statistically significant when initiation of antituberculous therapy within 8 weeks from the collection date of the first specimen yielding M. tuberculosis was included in the multivariate model. Conclusion: Decreased survival was observed in HIV-infected patients with pulmonary tuberculosis and with both negative sputum smear and normal chest X-ray presentation. This may primarily be a result of delayed tuberculosis diagnosis and initiation of antituberculous therapy. The latter delay may also lead to a faster progression of HIV infection in SS−/CXR patients, in whom diagnostic oversight may be common. Received: April 15, 2001 · Accepted: November 4, 2001     

Assessing the performance of overseas tuberculosis screening programs: a study among US-bound immigrants in Vietnam

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis cases in foreign-born persons account for more than 50% of all tuberculosis cases in the United States. The Institute of Medicine has recommended enhancing overseas screening as one measure to support tuberculosis elimination efforts. We assessed the ability of overseas tuberculosis screening (chest radiograph followed by 3 acid-fast bacilli sputum smears for persons with abnormal chest radiographs [suggestive of active tuberculosis]) to detect pulmonary tuberculosis disease among US-bound immigrants with abnormal chest radiographs. METHODS: During October 1998 to October 1999, 14 098 US immigrant visa applicants were screened overseas in Vietnam. Adult applicants with abnormal chest radiographs were enrolled to assess screening test characteristics among this group using mycobacterial culture as the gold standard for pulmonary tuberculosis disease diagnosis. Risk factors for pulmonary tuberculosis disease were also evaluated. RESULTS: Among 1179 adult applicants with abnormal chest radiographs, 82 (7.0%) had positive acid-fast bacilli smear results, and 183 (15.5%) had positive Mycobacterium tuberculosis culture results (pulmonary tuberculosis disease). The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of serial acid-fast bacilli screening among this group were 34.4% (63/183), 98.1% (977/996), 76.8% (63/82), and 89.1% (977/1097), respectively. Risk factors for pulmonary tuberculosis disease included younger age (18-34 years), no history of tuberculosis or treatment, reported symptoms, and cavitation or consolidation on chest radiograph. CONCLUSIONS: The ability of current overseas screening to detect tuberculosis among immigrants with abnormal chest radiographs is low. Improved diagnostic methods, enhanced screening measures, and postmigration follow-up are essential to control tuberculosis among immigrants and support US and global tuberculosis elimination.     

BACTEC MGIT 960和BACT/ALERT 3D系统快速培养和鉴定痰中抗酸杆菌

目的对抗酸染色阳性痰行分枝杆菌培养和鉴定。方法采用萋一尼氏抗酸染色法对临床诊断肺结核患者的晨痰涂片直接镜检，抗酸染色阳性痰经BACTEC960和BACT/ALERT3D系统进行分枝杆菌培养，分别经对硝基苯甲酸（PNB）和噻吩-2-羧基肼（TCH）培养基生长试验行分枝杆菌菌群和结核分枝杆菌复合群菌种鉴定。结果抗酸染色阳性痰标本的分枝杆菌培养阳性率100％，大多数为结核分枝杆菌（9／10），少数为非结核分枝杆菌（1／10），最快6天即可报告分枝杆菌阳性培养。结论BACTEC 960和BACT／ALERT3D系统具有快速培养分枝杆菌作用，抗酸染色阳性痰有必要行分枝杆菌培养和鉴定，有利于肺结核与非结核分枝杆菌病的鉴别诊断、结核分枝杆菌菌种鉴定和抗结核药物敏感性试验。     

HIV/AIDS合并非结核分枝杆菌肺病97例临床分析

目的 探讨HIV/AIDS合并非结核分枝杆菌(nontuberculosis mycobacteria, NTM)肺病的临床特点,以提高诊疗水平. 方法 对我院2009—2012年97例HIV/AIDS合并NTM肺病患者进行回顾性分析. 结果 97 例中咳嗽 93 例(95.88%),咳痰88例(90.72%),气喘71例(73.20%),发热70例(72.16%),消瘦69例(71.13%),乏力58例(59.79%),胸痛 47 例(48 . 45%),腹泻36例(37.11%). HIV感染途径为性乱史64例(65.98%),静脉吸毒史26例(26.80%),输血史2例(2.06%),不详5例(5.15%). 胸部影像学表现以双肺中下叶多见,多为左下肺受累,形态多种多样,并容易形成空洞及支气管扩张样改变,可见胸膜病变. 结论 HIV/AIDS合并NTM肺病的临床症状、胸部影像学表现、痰涂片、PPD试验和结核抗体检查酷似肺结核,在痰培养结果未回报前,临床上二者鉴别诊断非常困难.患者通常合并多处浅表淋巴结肿大,反复痰涂片抗酸杆菌阳性. 痰培养药物敏感性试验提示对一线抗结核药物耐药率高,应引起临床足够重视.     

Predicting results of mycobacterial culture on sputum smear reversion after anti-tuberculous treatment: a case control study

Background  

Little is currently known regarding sputum smear reversion (acid-fast smear becomes positive again after negative conversion) during anti-tuberculous treatment. This study aimed to evaluate its occurrence in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) and identify factors predicting results of mycobacterial culture for smear-reversion of sputum samples.     

Pleuritis as a manifestation of reactivation tuberculosis

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency with which tuberculous pleuritis is a manifestation of reactivation tuberculosis and to compare the clinical manifestations of reactivation tuberculous pleuritis with "classic" tuberculous pleuritis, in which chest roentgenograms reveal no parenchymal infiltrates. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We evaluated the medical records of 59 patients in whom tuberculous pleuritis was confirmed by histologic findings or mycobacterial culture. Twenty-seven patients (46%) had typical chest roentgenographic findings of reactivation tuberculosis, whereas 32 (54%) had classic tuberculous pleuritis. The clinical and laboratory features of these two groups were compared. RESULTS: Symptoms were more prolonged and pleural fluid glucose and lactate dehydrogenase concentrations were more markedly abnormal in patients with reactivation pleuritis than in those with classic pleuritis, suggesting a more chronic inflammatory process in the former group. Compared with patients with classic tuberculous pleuritis, those with reactivation pleuritis had a lower frequency of reactive tuberculin skin tests (61% versus 88%) and granulomatous pleural inflammation (25% versus 72%), but a higher bacillary burden, manifest by a higher frequency of positive sputum smears for acid-fast bacilli (50% versus 0%) and positive mycobacterial cultures from sputum (60% versus 23%) and pleural fluid (91% versus 66%). CONCLUSIONS: In contrast to previous reports, tuberculous pleuritis was a manifestation of reactivation tuberculosis in 46% (27 of 59) of patients. Tuberculous pleuritis is a more chronic process in patients with reactivation disease than in those with classic pleuritis. The lower frequency of reactive tuberculin skin tests and granuloma formation, combined with the higher bacillary burden in patients with reactivation pleuritis, suggest that these patients mount a less effective immune response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection than do patients with the classic form of tuberculous pleuritis.     

Mycobacterial disease in patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection

We compared the clinical features of disease due to tuberculosis and to Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) in 94 patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection. Tuberculosis preceded the diagnosis of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in 26 (67%) of 39 cases, compared with none of 55 with MAC infection. Chest roentgenographic findings suggested mycobacterial infection in 24 (83%) of 29 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis, compared with 7 (25%) of 28 with MAC infection. Sputum smears revealed acid-fast bacilli in 19 (83%) of 23 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis, but only 4 (16%) of 25 cases of pulmonary MAC infection. In 39 patients with tuberculosis, lymphadenitis and pleuritis were present in 13 (33%) and 8 (20%), respectively, but occurrence was rare in patients with MAC infection. In contrast, mycobacteremia was more frequent in MAC infection, occurring in 47 (85%) of 55 cases. In 5 patients, tuberculosis was unsuspected and probably contributed to death. These findings suggest that clinical features often distinguish tuberculosis from MAC infection in patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection. In addition, more intensive diagnostic use of sputum acid-fast smears may improve the outcome in patients with tuberculosis.     

Risk factors for transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis from HIV-infected tuberculosis patients, Botswana.

OBJECTIVE: To identify risk factors for transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis from patients with tuberculosis and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in Botswana. DESIGN: Transmission was studied in 210 children aged <10 years (contacts) of unknown HIV status exposed to 51 adults with tuberculosis (index cases), including 41/49 (83.7%) with HIV infection. METHODS: Data collected on index cases included demographics, clinical and social characteristics, sputum, HIV, and CD4 lymphocyte results. Tuberculin skin testing was performed on contacts, and their parent or guardian was interviewed. A positive test was defined as > or = 10 mm induration. Skin test results were compared with results obtained from a population survey of children of similar age from the same community. RESULTS: A positive skin test was found in 12.1% of exposed children compared with 6.2% in the community (P = 0.005). Of the infected children, 22 (78.6%) were contacts of a close female relative. The risk of transmission increased with the degree of sputum smear positivity for acid-fast bacilli among female index cases (10.8% if smear 0+, 9.3% if smear 1+,29.4% if smear 2+, 44% if smear 3+, P < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, severe immunodeficiency (CD4 lymphocyte count <200 cells/mm3) among HIV-infected index cases was protective against transmission (OR 0.08, 95%CI 0.01-0.5, P = 0.006). CONCLUSION: The intensity of exposure to tuberculosis patients and the degree of sputum smear positivity for acid-fast bacilli remain important risk factors for transmission of M. tuberculosis during the era of HIV. However, tuberculosis patients with advanced AIDS may be less infectious than patients in earlier stages of AIDS.     

两份痰标本代替三份痰标本涂片法的可行性研究

目的 探讨在可疑肺结核病例中能否用两份痰标本涂片法代替三份痰标本涂片法.方法 对1002例可疑肺结核病例的三份痰标本(即时痰、夜间痰、清晨痰)分别进行直接涂片、萋-尼尔逊氏抗酸染色和光学显微镜镜检.结果 即时痰+夜间痰+清晨痰组与夜间痰+清晨痰组的结核阳性率无显著性差异.结论 即时痰不能提高结核阳性率,在可疑肺结核患者中可以用夜间痰+清晨痰两份标本涂片法代替原方案即时痰+夜间痰+清晨痰的三份标本涂片法.     

The value of fiberoptic bronchoscopy in diagnosis of smear negative pulmonary tuberculosis

Although mycobacterial culture positivity is the gold standard for the diagnosis, the initial approach to the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTbc) is the detection of acid-fast bacilli (AFB) in respiratory specimens as recommended by the World Health Organization. But the physicians have to make a decision for the patients whose sputum smears are negative or who can not produce sputum. Waiting for culture results with radiological follow up or empirical antituberculous therapy are the standard options. In our study we aimed to assess the diagnostic yield of fiberoptic bronchoscopy in patients, suspected to have tuberculosis, whose sputum smears were negative or who could not produce sputum. Fifty six patients who suspected to have PTbc with sputum smear negative were enrolled in the study (fiberoptic bronchoscopy and selective bronchial washings were done to all patients. Bronchial washings were obtained from the affected parts). Mucosal biopsies were done in patients in where endobronchial abnormalities were noted. Transbronchial biopsies were done in selected patients from the radiological localizations. Ziehl-Nielsen staining and culture in L?wenstein-Jensen medium were the microbiological studies. Typical granulomas were expected to detect on histopathologic examination. Bronchoscopic lavage smears were positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis in 13 (23%) patients. Twenty eight (50%) patients had positive culture. Histopathological results confirmed tuberculosis in eight of 20 patients who had undergone mucosal biopsies, four of seven of transbronchial biopsies, two of three of needle aspiration biopsies. By bronchoscopic procedures early diagnosis was performed in 27 (48.21%) patients. We concluded that fiberoptic bronchoscopy has an important role in the diagnosis of patients suspected to have tuberculosis, whose sputum smears were negative or who could not produce sputum. It is useful and necessary in selected cases.     

纤维支气管镜检查对无痰或痰菌阴性不典型肺结核的诊断价值

目的 探讨纤维支气管镜（简称“纤支镜”）检查对无痰或痰菌阴性不典型肺结核的诊断价值。 方法 选无痰或痰菌阴性的不典型肺结核患者201例,用纤支镜在病变部位进行活检、刷检、支气管肺泡灌洗液（BALF）进行BBLMGIT(Mycobacteria Growth Indicate Tube)分枝杆菌快速培养查结核杆菌。术后进行痰涂片查抗酸杆菌、痰结核分枝杆菌快速培养。 结果201例刷检、BALF快速培养结核分枝杆菌阳性率分别是67.2%、83.6%,61例活检阳性率63.9%,201例术后痰涂片、术后痰快速培养结核分枝杆菌阳性率分别是28.9%、57.2%。 结论 纤支镜检查是确诊无痰或痰菌阴性不典型肺结核的有效方法 ,其中BALF行结核分枝杆菌快速培养具有较高的诊断价值、快速、阳性率较高。根据镜下所见采用不同的取材方法 可望提高诊断率。     

Diagnostic yield of repeated smear microscopy examinations among patients suspected of pulmonary TB in Shandong province of China.

OBJECTIVES: To analyse the yield of five repeated smear microscopy examinations for the diagnosis of smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). METHODS: Patients with respiratory symptoms and abnormal chest X-rays provided five spontaneous sputum samples for acid-fast bacilli (AFB) smear microscopy in one of nine county laboratories. RESULTS: Of 9302 patients with respiratory symptoms and abnormal X-rays, 6437 (69%) had at least one smear-positive sputum. Of these, 84.5% were diagnosed on the first smear, 96.7% on the first two smears, and 99.9% on the first three sputum smears. The fourth and fifth sputum smears yielded only seven additional cases (0.1%). CONCLUSIONS: Smear microscopy examination of two spontaneous sputum specimens is the most efficient, and three sputum smear examinations provide a diagnosis in almost all cases.     

肺结核合并支气管结核97例临床分析

目的探讨肺结核合并支气管结核的临床特点。方法回顾性分析97例肺结核合并支气管结核临床资料。结果临床以咳嗽(82.5%)、咳痰(80.4%)、发热(45.4%)、不同程度咯血或血丝痰(23.7%)等为主要症状,胸部CT以肺不张或膨胀不全(44.2%)及浸润增殖性病灶(37.9%)为主要表现,并可见支气管狭窄阻塞、支气管扩张、支气管播散、支气管充气征、纵隔淋巴结增大、纵隔淋巴结钙化等表现,痰涂片或培养检查抗酸杆菌阳性率较高(63.9%),尤其在多叶段浸润增殖病灶患者中其阳性率高达83.3%。纤支镜检查以主支气管及叶支气管开口受累显著(64.8%),多气管支气管受累患者达81.4%,且多种支气管镜下表现类型并存,纤支镜刷检抗酸杆菌、组织活检阳性率分别为55.9%、69.4%。接受纤支镜介入治疗的患者仅有18例,其中6例支气管狭窄闭塞并肺不张患者行气管镜下支气管球囊扩张术治疗,5例支气管狭窄好转。结论肺结核合并支气管结核患者临床表现无特异性。胸部CT对观察支气管损伤及淋巴结病变能提供较大帮助。气管镜检查仍为其重要诊断手段,镜下可见多气管支气管受累,且镜下表现类型相互重叠。球囊扩张术可有效改善支气管狭窄。     

The value of bronchial lavage in patients with radiologically suggestive pulmonary tuberculosis with no sputum production and gastric lavage smear negativity

We assessed whether acid-fast bacilli (AFB) investigation in bronchial lavage (BL) contributes to diagnosis in patients with gastric lavage smear negative and radiologically suggestive of pulmonary tuberculosis. Eighty-three patients were recruited for the study, five cases were excluded due to diagnosis of inactive disease or non-tuberculosis disease. The remaining 78 patients were evaluated. All patients were unable to expectorate sputum and their gastric lavages were negative for AFB. BL was performed for the detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in all patients. Bronchial lavage smear were positive in 15.4%(12 patients). BL culture positivity was 58.3%(42 patients) and gastric lavage culture positivity was 33.3%(26 patients). Eighteen cases had both gastric lavage and BL culture positivity. BL culture was positive in 24 cases who had gastric lavage culture negativity. We suggest that in cases who do not produce sputum and whose gastric lavage smears are negative; BL should be performed for diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis.     

Yield of sputum induction in the diagnosis of pleural tuberculosis

We prospectively evaluated the diagnostic yield of acid-fast bacilli smear and culture for Mycobacterium tuberculosis using sputum induction (SI) in the workup of patients with suspected pleural tuberculosis (TB) who were unable to produce sputum spontaneously. Of the 113 patients studied, a final diagnosis of pleural TB was made in 84 patients (71 HIV seronegative) and a final diagnosis of another disease in 29 patients. Histopathologic examination of the pleural biopsy tissue had the highest diagnostic yield (78%; 66/84). The bacteriologic yield was 62% (52/84) for the pleural tissue, 12% (10/84) for pleural fluid, and 52% (44/84) for sputum cultures obtained by SI. The yield of SI culture for M. tuberculosis was 55% (35/64) in patients with a normal radiograph (except for the pleural effusion) and 45% (9/20) in those with evidence of parenchymal disease suggestive of pulmonary TB (p = 0.6). The yield of sputum cultures obtained by SI is high in patients suspected of having pleural TB even in those cases with no pulmonary parenchymal abnormalities on the chest radiograph.