Outcome Correlation of Smear-Positivity for Acid-Fast Bacilli at the Fifth Month of Treatment in Non-Multidrug-Resistant TB

Positive sputum smears by a concentrated smear method at the fifth month of treatment in patients with non-MDR TB, especially those with a low SCOR index, may be due to nonviable bacilli and NTM. Careful review of the quality of patient supervision, bacteriologic data, and chest radiography is crucial.