Safety and tolerability of sputum induction in adolescents and adults with suspected pulmonary tuberculosis.

摘要

Sputum induction by the inhalation of hypertonic saline may increase the yield of microbiological diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). This is particularly relevant in paucibacillary TB, such as in children or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients. Sputum induction must be shown to be safe and tolerable in community settings where invasive diagnostic methods are unavailable. The objective of this study was to describe the changes in physiological parameters and adverse events occurring during sputum induction in ambulatory adult and adolescent TB suspects recruited in community clinics. Sputum induction was performed in HIV-infected (n?=?35) and HIV-uninfected (n?=?67) TB suspects (n?=?102). Oxygen saturation (%), blood pressure (mm Hg), heart rate (/minute), respiratory rate (/minute), and adverse events were monitored at baseline, continuously during the salbutamol pre-treatment and saline nebulization phases, and for 30 min afterwards. During nebulization, there was a statistically significant increase in oxygen saturation (1%, p?