The findings were reported by Marliana Nurprilinda, Paskalia Eka Rosari Prima, and Welly Salutondok from Universitas Kristen Indonesia and published in the Indonesian Journal of Advanced Research (IJAR) in 2026. The researchers examined medical records of pulmonary TB patients treated at UKI General Hospital between January and December 2023.
31 of 41 Patients Had Positive AFB Results
The researchers used a descriptive quantitative approach based on medical records. A total of 41 pulmonary TB patients met the study criteria.
Of these patients, 31 people, or 75.6%, had positive AFB examination results, while 10 patients, or 24.4%, had negative results. AFB examination is commonly used to detect acid-fast organisms in sputum and can provide important information about the presence of TB bacteria.
The high proportion of positive results is relevant because patients with detectable bacilli in sputum may have an important role in TB transmission. However, a negative AFB result does not automatically rule out pulmonary TB. The researchers noted that microscopy results can be influenced by factors such as bacterial load, specimen quality, disease stage, previous treatment, and technical factors.
Productive-Age Adults Accounted for Most Cases
Age was another notable pattern in the study. Patients aged 15–64 years accounted for 29 of the 41 cases, or 70.7%. Meanwhile, eight patients, or 19.5%, were aged over 65, while four patients, or 9.8%, were under 15 years old.
Among the 15–64 age group, 21 patients had positive AFB results. This represented the largest absolute number of AFB-positive patients across the age categories.
The researchers associated the concentration of cases among productive-age patients with the fact that this population has substantial daily mobility and social interaction, potentially increasing opportunities for exposure to infectious respiratory diseases.
The under-15 group showed a different pattern: all four patients in this small group had positive AFB results. However, because the subgroup contained only four patients, the finding should not be interpreted as evidence that all children with pulmonary TB will have positive AFB results. The study itself emphasizes the importance of considering both percentages and the absolute number of cases when interpreting small subgroups.
Male Patients Were More Numerous
The study also found a difference in the distribution of cases by sex. Twenty-seven patients, or 65.9%, were male, while 14 patients, or 34.1%, were female.
Positive AFB results were recorded in 81.5% of male patients compared with 64.3% of female patients. These figures describe the pattern observed in the hospital records, but the study did not report an inferential statistical test establishing that sex was significantly associated with AFB positivity.
The researchers discussed several possible factors that may contribute to differences in TB patterns between men and women, including differences in exposure, daily activities, and health-related behaviors. These explanations should be regarded as contextual interpretations rather than conclusions of a statistical causal analysis.
Why AFB Examination Still Matters
Tuberculosis is caused primarily by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and is transmitted through the air when an infected person releases respiratory droplets or aerosols. Early identification of infectious cases is therefore important for treatment and for reducing transmission within communities.
Although molecular diagnostic technologies have expanded the options available for TB detection, AFB microscopy remains relevant, particularly in healthcare settings where laboratory resources and diagnostic technologies may vary. The study highlights the continued value of laboratory examination as part of the clinical assessment of suspected pulmonary TB patients.
Implications for TB Detection and Monitoring
The findings provide a snapshot of pulmonary TB cases recorded at UKI General Hospital during 2023. The predominance of positive AFB results, together with the concentration of cases among productive-age adults and male patients, can help illustrate the demographic characteristics of patients requiring TB-related clinical attention at the facility.
At the same time, the researchers caution against extending the findings beyond the study population. The research involved only 41 patients from a single healthcare facility, making larger studies across multiple healthcare facilities important for obtaining broader evidence.
Future research could also examine additional factors, including smoking behavior, nutritional status, treatment adherence, HIV infection, diabetes, immune status, previous TB treatment, and other comorbidities. Comparing AFB microscopy with diagnostic methods such as GeneXpert or culture could provide a more comprehensive picture of pulmonary TB diagnosis.
The study ultimately emphasizes that understanding the demographic and laboratory profiles of TB patients can support more targeted monitoring and clinical management. Continued attention to early detection, appropriate treatment, and transmission prevention remains important in addressing pulmonary TB.
About the Authors
Marliana Nurprilinda is affiliated with the Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Kristen Indonesia, particularly in the field of anatomical pathology. Welly Salutondok is affiliated with Universitas Kristen Indonesia and works in the field of internal medicine. Paskalia Eka Rosari Prima is listed as a co-author affiliated with Universitas Kristen Indonesia; the article does not provide additional professional-profile details.
Source
Nurprilinda, M., Prima, P. E. R., & Salutondok, W. (2026). Clinical and Demographic Profile of Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients Based on AFB Examination Results at UKI General Hospital, Jakarta. Indonesian Journal of Advanced Research, 5(9), 1731–1744.
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