TABLE 2.
Summary of test results for the tuberculous patients with initial false-negative results by Cobas Amplicor MTB
| Patient’s age (yr)/sex | Results obtained from a single sputum specimen
|
No. of cumulative positive results obtained from sequential sputum specimensc
|
No. of sputum specimens examined | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smear | Culture | Repeated Cobas Amplicor MTBa | Smear | Culture | Cobas Amplicor MTB | ||
| 69/Male | Positive | Positive | Negative | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| 24/Male | Positive | Positive | NA | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
| 78/Female | Positive | Positive | Positive | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 38/Male | Positive | Negative | Negative | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| 75/Female | Positive | Positive | Positive | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 63/Male | Positive | Positive | Positiveb | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
| 74/Male | Negative | Positive | Positive | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| 69/Male | Negative | Positive | NA | 0 | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| 72/Male | Negative | Positive | NA | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| 64/Female | Negative | Positive | Positive | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| 76/Female | Negative | Positive | Negative | 0 | 3 | 1 | 3 |
| 72/Female | Negative | Positive | Positive | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
a
NA, not available for the repeated Cobas Amplicor MTB.
b
Specimen containing inhibitory substances. Test was repeated with specimen diluted 1/10.
c
The results of the repeated Cobas Amplicor MTB were not included in the cumulative results.