Criteria to Verify a Case of TB
The following criteria will verify a case of tuberculosis:
Positive bacteriologic findings of M. tuberculosis, M. bovis, M. africanum, M. canettii, M. microti, or Mtb Complex
OR
- When bacteriologic verification cannot be obtained, ALL of the following factors must be present.
- Completed diagnostic procedures
- Decision to give a full course of therapy with 2 or more anti-TB drugs
- Two or more of the following:
- Positive Tuberculin Skin Test (TST)
- Positive AFB smear when a culture has not been collected or cannot be obtained
- Abnormal and unstable chest radiograph, such as worsening x-ray consistent with TB disease
- Clinical improvement with treatment, such as decreased cough, weight gain, decreased lymph node size, etc.
- Clinical evidence of TB such as histologic findings, abnormal CSF chemistries, significant radiographic findings (plain film, computed tomography (CT) scan, intravenous pyelography, bone scan, etc.) which are not otherwise explained.
Reference: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and State of California
