Abstract: Objective To explore the correlation between sputum smear-positive and chest X-ray features of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) in order to provide the reference for management of PTB. Methods Chest X -ray features of 119 cases of smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis who were divided into two groups according to sputum-smear 1+ to 2+ or 3+ to 4+ were reviewed and analyzed by Chi square and multivariate non-conditional logistic regression analysis with P<0.05 being considered statistically significant. Results There were no correlation between sputum mycobacteria condition and lesion distribution and range in patients with PTB. In sputum-smear 1+ to 2+ group and 3+ to 4+ group, there were 90 and 88 lesions（χ²=0.208，P=0.649）, 2.37 and 2.33 lung fields in each case（χ²=0.006，P=0.936）.There were also no correlation between sputum mycobacteria condition and cavity size(χ²=3.300，P=0.069) with or without draining bronchi （χ²=0.092，P=0.761）.Sputum condition were related to X -ray features of the type(type Ⅲ 110 cases, 92.4%)，stage(advanced stage 79 cases，66.4%；resolving stage 33 cases，27.7%；stable stage 7 cases，5.9%)，the cavities’ distribution （χ²=13.553，P=0.000）, the cavity number(χ²=15.427，P=0.000）, and the cavity wall condition（χ²=11.166，P=0.001）. Conclusion There was a closed correlation between sputum smear-positive condition and chest X-ray features in patients with PTB.

Key words: Tuberculosis,pulmonary/diagnosis, Sputum, Radiography,thoracic