Abstract: Objective To probe the diagnostic value and health economic evaluation of PCR-fluorogenic hybridization assay in pulmonary tuberculosis.Methods To analysis and compare the Results of sputum PCR-fluorogenic hybridization method and sputum fluorogenic smear of 301 cases from May 2002 to November in 2002.Results The sensitivities of sputum fluorogenic hybridization method with,specimen and sputum smear with 1,3 and 6 specimens was 51.9%,49.2%,57.4,61.2% respectively.There was no statistic significance ( P>0.05) of the sensitivities of two methods.The per case cost of test by fluorogenic hybridization method and smear method was 257.47 yuan and 50.17 yuan respectively.Conclusion Fluorogenic hybridization method is rapid and efficient compared with smear examination.But it was expensive.It could not replace the traditional method i.e. smear examination in diagnosing tuberculosis.

Key words: Fluorogenic hybridization, Fluorogenic smear, Cost-effectiveness