Abstract: Objective To evaluate the feasibility of Mycobacterium solid culture in county (district) tuberculosis (TB) dispensaries. Methods  2059 doubtful patients with pulmonary TB from Xiangtan, Yueyang, Beilin and Lanxi county were continuously recruited from May 2010 to February 2011. The sputum samples from patients recruited were collected and performed smear examination and solid culture. The smear-positive and culture-negative rate and culture pollution rate were calculated each month.  Results (1) The smear-positive rate and culture-positive rate in all patients recruited were 18.3% (376/2059) and 26.6% (547/2059)，respectively. They had statistically significant difference (χ²=129.2, P<0.01) (2) The smear-positive and culture-negative rate in Beilin was 16.5% (23/139), higher than normal level. The rate of culture pollution in Xiangtan and Yueyang were 5.6% (157/2800) and 9.7%(252/2590)，respectively, both higher than normal level. The smear-positive and culture-ne-gative rates and culture pollution rates in other counties (district) were in normal range.  Conclusion Four laborato-ries in county (district) TB dispensaries have the primary ability on performing Mycobacterium solid culture.

Key words: Mycobacteriun tuberculosis, Bacteriological techniques, Sputum, Specimen handling, Culture techniques, Professional competence