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Demonstrating a Multi-drug Resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis Amplification Microarray
Published on: April 25, 2014
Improved detection of Mycobacterium spp. using the Bactec MGIT 960 system
K V Jayakumar1, T Forster, M S Kyi
1Department of Microbiology, Quest Diagnostics, Heston, Middlesex, UK.
British Journal of Biomedical Science
|September 29, 2001
Summary
Mycobacterial infections are rising due to various factors. The automated Bactec MGIT 960 system aids rapid detection of Mycobacterium species, including tuberculosis, in clinical microbiology labs.
Area of Science:
- Medical Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Mycobacterial infection notification rates declined until 1987 but are now increasing.
- Factors contributing to the rise include improved diagnostics, an aging population, homelessness, immunosuppression (e.g., HIV), and immigration from tuberculosis-endemic regions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the utility of the automated Bactec MGIT 960 system for the rapid detection of Mycobacterium species in clinical specimens.
- To assess the time to detection and recovery rates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis using this automated system.
Main Methods:
- A total of 2743 clinical specimens were analyzed over two years using the Bactec MGIT 960 system.
- Positive specimens were identified, and the time to detection was recorded.
Main Results:
- Out of 2743 specimens, 286 were positive for Mycobacterium spp.
- The mean time to detection was 9.3 days (range: 3-14 days).
- Mycobacterium tuberculosis was identified in 214 cases (75.5% of positive samples).
- A higher contamination rate (8.6%) was observed compared to manual methods.
Conclusions:
- The Bactec MGIT 960 system is a valuable tool for routine clinical microbiology laboratories in detecting mycobacterial infections.
- Rapid identification is crucial given the rising incidence and emergence of resistant organisms.
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