{'fraction_non_alphanumeric': 0.04302477183833116, 'fraction_numerical': 0.03585397653194263, 'mean_word_length': 5.067193675889328, 'pattern_counts': {'":': 0, '<': 0, '<?xml version=': 0, '>': 1, 'https://': 0, 'lorem ipsum': 0, 'www.': 0, 'xml': 0}, 'pii_count': 0, 'substrings_counts': 0, 'word_list_counts': {'cursed_substrings.json': 0, 'profanity_word_list.json': 0, 'sexual_word_list.json': 0, 'zh_pornsignals.json': 0}}
Implementing upfront mobile digital chest x-ray for tuberculosis diagnosis in India-feasibility and benefits.

BACKGROUND
The Tuberculosis (TB) Control Program in India changed the TB diagnostic algorithm and recommended sputum testing and chest x-ray (CXR) for presumptive TB up front. There is no experience of testing this algorithm in routine field settings.


METHODS
In a public-private partnership (PPP), a private hospital provided mobile digital CXR services (mounted on a van) to complement the existing diagnostic services of sputum microscopy and GeneXpert testing. All presumptive TB patients (cough >2 weeks) underwent CXR and sputum microscopy, and GeneXpert testing if eligible (smear-negative CXR suggestive of TB).


RESULTS
All 2973 presumptive TB patients underwent CXR and sputum microscopy; 471 (15.8%) had abnormal CXR findings suggestive of TB, 129 (4.3%) were smear positive and 17 were extrapulmonary TB. Of the remaining 325 with smear-negative and CXR suggestive of TB, 147 (45.2%) underwent GeneXpert testing, yielding 32 positives (21.8%). Of the remaining 178 with no GeneXpert test done, 106 (60.0%) had CXR definitely suggesting TB (clinically diagnosed TB). Thus a total of 284 cases of TB (161 microbiologically confirmed, 106 clinically diagnosed, 17 extrapulmonary TB) were identified, giving a potential diagnostic yield of 19.6%.


CONCLUSIONS
Systematic screening with mobile digital X-ray service via a PPP model integrated into the national program is feasible and scalable with a high yield.