Evaluation of the sodium hypochlorite concentration method of detecting acid-fast bacilli from sputum of patients in Central Hospital, Delta state, Nigeria

Abstract

The use of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) was revalidated in the laboratory diagnosis of acid fast bacilli (AFB) against the long existing direct smear Zeihl-Neelsen method to ascertain the more sensitive and reliable method. Sputum from 260 patients, aged 20-52 years attending the Chest Clinic of the Central Hospital Agbor, Delta State, Nigeria were examined for acid-fast bacilli by direct microscopy and centrifugation following treatment with 3.5% sodium hypochlorite. The percentage positive cases rose from 6.92% for direct smear to 28.85% after treatment with sodium hypochlorite. This was found to be statistically significant (p<0.0001). The sodium hypochlorite concentration improved specificity from 43.33% to 56.67% and sensitivity from 19.35% to 80.65%. Thus, the sodium hypochlorite concentration method may be more sensitive and reliable for the diagnosis of tuberculosis in laboratories. Hence, it could be recommended for use in Tuberculosis Control Programme in Nigeria and can be adapted to suit local needs of rapid diagnosis.

Keywords: Tuberculosis, Acid-fast, sodium hypochlorite, Bacilli, rapid diagnosis

International Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences, 5(4): 357-360, 2009