TY - JOUR T1 - Predictive radiological factors of delayed smear conversion JF - European Respiratory Journal JO - Eur Respir J VL - 44 IS - Suppl 58 SP - P2686 AU - Safa Hafaied AU - Hajer Racil AU - H. Blibech AU - Sawsan Bacha AU - Sana Cheikh Rouhou AU - Nawel Chaouech AU - Abdellatif Chabbou Y1 - 2014/09/01 UR - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/44/Suppl_58/P2686.abstract N2 - Introduction: Radiological lesions in pulmonary tuberculosis are polymorph. Some studies suggested that chest X-ray could predict patients with delayed sputum smear conversion and so higher risk of unfavorable evolution.The aim is to identify radiological factors associated to delayed sputum smear conversion.Materials: A retrospective case-control study was performed, compared chest X-ray of 100patients with confirmed pulmonary tuberculosis: 50 with delayed smear conversion (group A: GA) and 50 showed no delay (group B: GB).Results: Nodules were noted in both groups with no significant difference (98% vs 94%, p = 0.617), infiltrates were more noted in GB (80% vs 88%, p=0.275). Excavations were present comparably in both groups (92% vs 86%, p = 0.338). Although excavation's number was more important in GA, 68% of patient in GA had more than 4 excavations vs 24 % in GB (p <0.000). High cavitary score is also more frequent in GA (62% vs 24%, p = 0.00).Bilateral radiological lesions were more frequent in GA (74 % vs 56%, p=0.059).Severity of chest X-ray lesion evaluated by the BIT score was higher in GA with an average at 10.22 ± 0.739 in GA vs 7.92 ± 0.604 in GB; p = 0.018.Conclusion: Patients with extensive radiologic lesion and multiple cavitary should have a specific attention to guarantee a favorable evolutionand to reduce the risk of relapse or treatment resistance. ER -