Abstract:
Clinicians still facing common problem with sputum smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis (SSN-PTB). Performing Fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FOB), specimen Bronchoalveolar lavage(BAL) material, to be helpful in the diagnosis of SSN-PTB with ZiehlNeelsen(Z-N) staining.70 chests symptomatic with X-ray shadow suggestive of pulmonary tuberculosis were subjected to Fiberoptic bronchoscopy. The bronchial aspirate or Bronchoalveolar lavage and post-scopy sputum specimen smears were prepared and stained with Ziehl -Neelsen staining method. 28 (40%) were found to be positive for AFB. The results demonstrate the usefulness of FOB in diagnosis of PTB in sputum smear negative cases
