HIV infection does not affect active case finding of tuberculosis in South African gold miners.

ABSTRACT:

Rationale

Gold miners in South Africa undergo annual radiological screening for tuberculosis in an occupational health center of a gold mining company, but the optimal screening algorithm is unclear.

Objectives

To evaluate methods for active case detection of tuberculosis.

Methods

A sequential sample of miners attending annual medical examination was screened for tuberculosis using a symptom questionnaire, chest radiograph, and two sputum specimens for microscopy and culture.

Measurements and main results

There were 1,955 miners included in this study; all were male with a median age of 41 years (range, 20-61 yr). Presence of at least one of a trio of symptoms (new or worsening cough, night sweats, or weight loss) had similar sensitivity (29.4%) to either chest

SUBMITTER: Lewis JJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2796737 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature