Methods of tubercle bacillus identification in patients from Department of Pulmonary Medicine and Tuberculosis in Pulmonology and Rheumatology Hospital Centre in Kup

Objectives. Determination of incidence and type of diagnostic test confirming the presence of acid-proof bacillus. Material and methods. 331 patients undergoing hospitalization in Department of Pulmonary Medicine and Tuberculosis in Pulmonology and Rheumatology Hospital Centre in Kup were examined. The patients were qualified to particular groups (with pulmonary and non-pulmonary tuberculosis) on the basis of personal data, medical interview, clinical symptoms and additional tests i.e. radiological test, tuberculin test, bacteriological test. Results. 158 were hospitalized due to tuberculosis in 2008. Males suffered from TB more often (26.84% more than women). Bacteriological confirmation was obtained in 67.12% of the patients. Positive tuberculin test was noted in 56.25% of the patients with pulmonary TB and 25% with non-pulmonary TB. Chest X-ray results confirmed tubercular changes in the lungs in 25% of the patients. Patients with pulmonary tuberculosis were most often found to suffer from: cough, body weight loss, weakening of organism and night sweats. Conclusions. Confirmation of tuberculosis was most often obtained as a result of bacteriological tests. Chest X-ray was only a diagnostic method which confirmed clinical diagnosis in 32.88% of the patients.