New Delhi, Sep 2 (IANS) A sputum test is the "best available" means to detect tuberculosis (TB) rather than a blood test, which has been termed "unreliable" by the World Health Organisation (WHO), Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad told the Lok Sabha here Friday.


He said serological tests based on blood samples, which are commonly used by the private sector for diagnosis of TB have been termed "unreliable by WHO due to their inconsistent and imprecise sensitivity and specificity".

?Sputum smear microscopy, which is recommended by WHO, is the best available diagnostic tool to detect TB and is used under the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP)," Azad said in a written reply.

He said the health ministry has issued an advisory to all the states about the WHO recommendation.

?...sputum microscopy is the most affordable, user friendly and widely used test for the diagnosis of TB,? the health minister said.

He said these tests are available in 13,000 healthcare centres and hospitals across the country.