The samples were subjected to bacteriological isolation. There is no difference in mycobacterial isolation rates from gastric lavage and BAL when studied in isolation. Bronchoalveolar lavage, Gastric lavage, Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Children with pulmonary tuber-culosis typically have closed caseous leasions with a relatively small number of mycobacteria. This is compounded by the difficulty in collecting sputum in children as they swallow the expecto-rate coming from the lungs.
Gastric lavage collects the respiratory secretions which are swallowed at night.
The present prospective study was undertaken to compare the yield of M. tuberculosis from gastric lavage and bronchoalveolar lavage from children with pulmonary tuberculosis. A provisional diagnosis of pulmonary tuber-culosis made in the presence of the following criteria was needed for inclusion of the patient in the study. A minimum of 30 ml of specimen was sent for analysis. All patients were monitored during the procedure clinically and by pulse oximetry for any complications. Supplementary oxygen was given during the procedure.