Prior to sputum collection, salivary specimens were collected into a sterile specimen cup using a published method by Navazesh [22].
Briefly, on the day of sputum collection, 1 ml venous blood sample was collected from each individual directly into three tubes (TB-specific antigens, mitogen and nil tubes).
We collected the following variables through a questionnaire administered during sputum collection: patient sex, age, country of birth, and treatment history (new or previously treated).
Urine-based testing has advantages over sputum-based testing because urine is easy to collect and store and lacks the infection control risks associated with sputum collection.
He ordered a chest X-ray and sputum collection.
Lowndes said: "Time from sputum collection to initiation of TB treatment [has] decreased from a week to less than two days.
Patients underwent sputum collection randomly (spot, 5 h and 12 h) in consecutive days.
The intervention included sputum collection and providing DOT.
Sputum collection practices and DOTS management were those used routinely in the hospital.
None of the patients was on anti-TB treatment at the time of sputum collection.
Sputum collection was strictly supervised and included observed mouth rinsing overseen by experienced health staff.
