High Predictive Value of the Acid-Fast Smear for Mycobacterium tuberculosis Despite the High Prevalence of Mycobacterium avium Complex in Respiratory Specimens

The value of the smear for acid-fast bacilli in predicting pulmonary tuberculosis is unclear in a setting where there is a high prevalence of Mycobacterium avium complex in respiratory specimens. To evaluate the impact of a high prevalence of M. avium complex on the predictive value of the acid-fast bacilli smear for tuberculosis, we reviewed findings on smears and results of cultures over a 3-year period at a hospital where M. avium complex is the predominant mycobacterial isolate. In this setting, the predictive value of the acid-fast bacilli smear for Mycobacterium tuberculosis was 92% for expectorated sputum specimens, 71% for induced sputum specimens, and 71% for bronchoalveolar lavage specimens. When multiple specimens collected from the same patient were excluded from the data base, the predictive values were 87%, 70%, and 71%, respectively, Smears of sputum samples were positive at the same rate for patients with tuberculosis who had AIDS and for patients with tuberculosis who did not have AIDS.