DETECTION OF ACTIVE MYCOBACTERIUM TUBERCULOSIS AT 6TH MONTH EXIT AMONG DECLARED SUCCESSFULLY TREATED CASES IN PAKISTAN.

Abstract Objectives Tuberculosis (TB) is a major public health concern and the basis of successful anti tuberculosis treatment (ATT) rests on the complete eradication of live bacilli from the patients. Keeping in view, this study was conducted to detect the live TB bacilli on Lowenstein Jensen culture media among exit cases of TB who were declared successfully treated, either cured or treatment completed. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted in all across Pakistan. 58 active TB DOTS centers were selected. Sample size of 3355 TB cases were equally distributed in all DOTS facilities. A detailed questionnaire was developed to record the information from TB DOTS and patients. After successful treatment, the sputum was taken from TB cases and examined for the detection of live bacilli on L-J culture. Results 3355 TB cases were enrolled in the study. Male to female proportion was 1704 (50.9%) and 1651 (49.2%).Initially, 1993 (59.4%) cases were cured and 1362 (40.6%) were declared as treatment completed case. At exit, 324 (9.65%) cases were again ZN smear positive and 328 (9.77%) were positive on L-J culture after declared successfully treated for TB. Conclusions For the eradication of live TB bacilli, all the TB cases should be subjected for L-J culture at the end of ATT.