TABLE 1.
Characteristics of included studies with culture as the reference standard
| Method and authors, yr (reference) | Country | Stain | Chemical method | Physical method | Study population | Health care setting | Patient selection | No. of subjects | EQA | Use of blinded smears | Smear-positive criteria |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bleach centrifugation | |||||||||||
| Ängeby et al., 2000 (1) | Honduras | ZN | Bleach, 5.25% | Centrifugation at 3,000 × g | Pulmonary TB suspects/patients | Inpatient and outpatient | Convenience | 303 | NR | NR | Unclear |
| Bruchfeld et al., 2000 (6) | Ethiopia | ZN | Bleach, 5% | Centrifugation at 3,000 × g | Pulmonary TB suspects | Outpatient | Consecutive | 510 | NR | Yes | 1 |
| Daley et al., 2009 (7) | India | AO | Bleach | Centrifugation at 3,000 × g | Pulmonary TB suspects | Inpatient and outpatient | Consecutive | 178 | Yes | Yes | 1 |
| Eyangoh et al. (study a), 2008 (9) | Cameroon | ZN | Bleach, 1.8% | Centrifugation at 400 × g | Pulmonary TB suspects | Outpatient | Consecutive | 936 | Yes | Yes | 10 |
| Eyangoh et al. (study b), 2008 (9) | Cameroon | AO | Bleach, 1.8% | Centrifugation at 400 × g | Pulmonary TB suspects | Outpatient | Consecutive | 936 | Yes | Yes | 10 |
| Gebre et al., 1995 (13) | Ethiopia | ZN | Bleach, 4.4% | Centrifugation at speed NR | Pulmonary TB suspects | Outpatient | Convenience | 100 | NR | Yes | Unclear |
| Merid et al. (study c), 2009 (18) | Ethiopia | ZN | Bleach, 5% | Centrifugation at 3,000 × g | Pulmonary TB suspects | Outpatient | Consecutive | 497 | Yes | Yes | 1 |
| Mutha et al. (study b), 2005 (19) | India | ZN | Bleach, 5% | Centrifugation at 3,000 rpm | Pulmonary TB suspects | Outpatient | Convenience | 297 | NR | NR | Unclear |
| Wilkinson et al., 1997 (27) | South Africa | ZN | Bleach, 4-5% | Centrifugation at 1,000 × g | Pulmonary TB suspects | Inpatient | Consecutive | 166 | NR | Yes | Unclear |
| Bleach sedimentation | |||||||||||
| Farnia et al., 2002 (10) | Iran | ZN | Bleach, NR | Sedimentation overnight | Pulmonary TB suspects | Inpatient and outpatient | Convenience | 430 | NR | Yes | 1 |
| Frimpong et al., 2005 (11) | Ghana | ZN | Bleach, 1% | Sedimentation overnight | Pulmonary TB suspects | Outpatient | NR | 131 | NR | NR | Unclear |
| Lawson et al., 2006 (15) | Nigeria | ZN | Bleach, 3.5% | Sedimentation for <1 h | Pulmonary TB suspects | Outpatient | Convenience | 752 | NR | Yes | 1 |
| Merid et al. (study a), 2009 (18) | Ethiopia | ZN | Bleach, 5% | Sedimentation for <1 h | Pulmonary TB suspects | Outpatient | Consecutive | 497 | Yes | Yes | 1 |
| Merid et al. (study b), 2009 (18) | Ethiopia | ZN | Bleach, 5% | Sedimentation overnight | Pulmonary TB suspects | Outpatient | Consecutive | 497 | Yes | Yes | 1 |
Abbreviations: AO, auramine-O; EQA, external quality assessment; NR, not reported; TB, tuberculosis; ZN, Ziehl-Neelsen.