To evaluate the value of the Stat Pak Ultrafast test (a new rapid VISA based sero-diagnostic test) in diagnosis of active pulmonary tuberculosis we studied 30 fresh pulmonary tuberculosis cases (15 with positive smear and culture, 15 with negative smear and positive culture for acid fast bacilli). Another 15 non tuberculous cases with other chest diseases and 15 normal controls were also studied. The test gave positive results in 25 of the 30 tuberculous patients (83.3%), with 86.7% (13 of 15 patients) positives in smear and culture positive cases and 80% (12 of 15) of smear negative and culture positive cases. In non tuberculous patients 2 of 15 (13.3%) cases gave positive test results, while in controls only one subject gave a positive result (6.7%). We have found test sensitivity of 90% and specificity of 83.3% in diagnosing pulmonary tuberculosis. We have also found no relation between the test results an 4 the radiological stage of the disease except in far advanced cases where low detection rate reflects poor immunity in these patients We concluded that the Stat Pak Ultrafast test could be a useful rapid diagnostic test in patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis esp |
