TRENDS AND CHARACTERISTICS OF SMEAR POSITIVE PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL IN NORTH INDIA.

Context: Infection due to tuberculosis is a major public health problem across the world. Pulmonary tuberculosis which is smear positive is highly infectious and a main source of transmission to contacts. Aims: This study was undertaken to determine the trends over time in smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis, the demographic profile of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis and their treatment outcome. Methods and Material: We retrospectively analyzed smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis patients over a period of 8 years. Patient was diagnosed as smear positive by ZeihlNeelson staining and later by auramine fluorescence staining according to the RNTCP guidelines. Trends over time were analyzed and data such as age, gender, treatment category and outcome of the patients was recorded. Results: A total of 447 patients were identified as smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis. The percentage of smear positive cases has decreased to 30% over a period of eight years. Most cases were seen in male gender and most common age group was elderly followed by 21-30 years. Overall treatment success rate was 96.87%. Conclusion: This study demonstrates considerable reduction in smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis infection. However further strengthening of the program must be implemented to achieve higher rates of treatment success.