Interpretation of follow-up AFB microscopy results

Clinical description

For new patients

• If AFB results at the end of the intensive phase:

o Is negative, start continuation phase of treatment o Remains positive, initiate continuation phase and repeat AFB at end of 3rd month and if result remains positive do rapid DST to decide on next action.

• If DST shows resistance at least to rifampicin:

o Stop treatment o Assign “Moved to MDR-TB” as the final outcome, and link patient to MDR-TB centre.

• If AFB results at the end of month 5 (or later) of treatment:

o Is negative, continue with the same treatment.

o Is positive, assign “Treatment failure” as the final outcome. Re-evaluate the patient as a previously treated case and perform rapid DST.

• If AFB results at the end of month 6 of treatment:

National Tuberculosis Control Programme 55 o Is negative, declare the final outcome as “Cured” or “Completed”.

o Is positive, declare the final outcome as “Treatment failure”. Re-evaluate the patient as a previously treated case and perform rapid DST.