Table 2. Distribution of sputum sample culture results for the six patterns of results according to methods used.
| Pattern of result | LJ alone n (%) | MGIT alone n (%) | LJ or MGIT n (%) |
| Px | 36 (21.2) | 44 (25.9) | 52 (30.6) |
| NPx | 5 (2.9) | 13 (7.7) | 7 (4.2) |
| NNP | 2 (1.2) | 3 (1.7) | 3 (1.7) |
| NNN | 82 (48.2) | 67 (39.4) | 67 (39.4) |
| NN9 | 29 (17.1) | 26 (15.3) | 24 (14.1) |
| N99 | 16 (9.4) | 17 (10.0) | 17 (10) |
| Total patterns/patients: | 170 | 170 | 170 |
PX = positive on the first sample, x = the next result adds no more diagnostic value, N = Negative, 9 = missing, LJ (Solid culture) = Lowenstein Jensen, MGIT (Liquid culture) = Mycobacterium Growth Indicator Tube.