BMC Public Health 2007, 7:356 TB – Tuberculosis Competing interests The author(s) declare that they have no competing inter- ests. Authors' contributions LCS carried out the study, participated in the laboratory tests, participated in data acquisition, performed the sta- tistical analysis and drafted the manuscript; RDS carried out the laboratory tests, data analysis, participated in data acquisition and drafted the manuscript, FCQM helped to draft the manuscript, CJ participated in the recruitment and in the clinical evaluation of patients, PIC underwent the questionnaire in patients. SM and MOR performed bacteriological tests, ARN performed the epidemiological analysis and drafted the paper, MLRR helped design the study, performed the statistical analysis and drafted the paper, ALK conceived of the study, participated in its design, performed the data analysis, coordination and helped to draft the manuscript. 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