Dynamics of sputum conversion during effective tuberculosis treatment: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Two weeks' isolation is widely recommended for people commencing treatment for pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). The evidence that this corresponds to clearance of potentially infectious tuberculous mycobacteria in sputum is not well established. This World Health Organization-commissioned review investigated sputum sterilisation dynamics during TB treatment.

Methods and findings

For the main analysis, 2 systematic literature searches of OvidSP MEDLINE, Embase, and Global Health, and EBSCO CINAHL Plus were conducted to identify studies with data on TB infectiousness (all studies to search date, 1 December 2017) and all randomised controlled trials (RCTs) for drug-susceptible TB (from 1 January 1990 to search date, 20 February 2018). Included articles reported on patien

SUBMITTER: Calderwood CJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8109831 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature