TABLE 5.
Evaluation of smear values and smear sensitivities by method and mycobacterial group
| Result | No. of specimens with result in group
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| All | MOTT | MTBC | |
| Identical smear values | 18a | 8 | 10 |
| CB-18 smear value > NaOH smear value | 19 | 9b | 10 |
| NaOH smear value > CB-18 smear value | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| CB-18 smear positive and NaOH smear negative | 23 | 16 | 7 |
| NaOH smear positive and CB-18 smear negative | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Total no. smear positive | 61 | 34 | 27 |
a
The maximum smear value (4+) was reported by both methods in 14 instances.
b
These nine specimens were comprised of four MAC, three M. kansasii, and two M. chelonae isolates.