Comparison of the conventional diagnostic modalities, bactec culture and polymerase chain reaction test for diagnosis of tuberculosis

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the performance of 65 kDa antigen based PCR assay in clinical samples obtained from pulmonary and extrapulmonary cases of tuberculosis. Methods: One hundred and fifty six samples were processed for detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis by ZN smear examination, LJ medium culture, BACTEC radiometric culture and PCR tests. Results: A significant difference was seen in the sensitivities of different tests, the figures being 74.4% for PCR test, 33.79% for ZN smear examination, 48.9% for LJ culture and 55.8% for BACTEC culture (P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference (P>0.05) as far as specificity of different tests was concerned. PCR test sensitivity in pulmonary and extrapulmonary clinical samples were 72.7% and 75.9% respectively and found to be significantly higher (P<0.05) when compared with those of other tests. The mean detection time for M.tuberculosis was 24.03 days by LJ medium culture, 12.89 days by BACTEC culture and less than one day by PCR test. Conclusions: PCR is a rapid and sensitive method for the early diagnosis of pulmonary and extrapulmonary tuberculosis.

Performance of Mycobacterium Growth Indicator Tube BACTEC 960 with Lowenstein–Jensen method for diagnosis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis at Ethiopian National Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

“…The most popular LJ based myco-bacteriological culture TB diagnostic methods, Lowenstein–Jensen (LJ), is time consuming, taking up to 6–8 weeks to recover Mycobacteria or discriminate negative samples [4, 5]. …”

Various presentations of breast tuberculosis and tuberculous lymphadenopathy: A case series of surgical rarity

“…However, in reality, the culture is often time-consuming. The mean detection period for Mycobacterium tuberculosis by using Lowenstein-Jensen medium culture is 24 days and 12 days for BACTEC culture 8 . Culture media also has its own pitfall as the possibility of false-negative results in pauci-bacillary samples.…”

“…Molecular method has a sensitivity of 75.9% for the diagnosis of breast TB 8 . TB-polymerase chain reaction (TB-PCR) is reliable with a rapid turnaround time of less than one day relative to mycobacterial cultures 8 .…”

“…TB-polymerase chain reaction (TB-PCR) is reliable with a rapid turnaround time of less than one day relative to mycobacterial cultures 8 . It is recommended in cases of negative culture results or for differential diagnosis of CGM 5 .…”

Comparison of DNA extraction protocols for Mycobacterium Tuberculosis in diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis by real-time polymerase chain reaction

“…[3–6] Although no amplification system known today provides sufficient sensitivity to replace culture as a reliable screening tool, but can be used as supplementary tests as they are specific and offer rapid turnaround time as compared to cultures. [67] Moreover, nucleic acid amplification (NAA) tests can be useful in patients on antitubercular therapy and for monitoring treatment response.…”