[Evaluation of a new rapid detection system for mycobacteria using an oxygen sensitive fluorescent sensor]

A comparison of the rate of recovery and time for detection of mycobacteria from clinical specimens of the newly developed Mycobacteria Growth Indicator Tube (MGIT), the biphasic Septi-Chek, and the egg-based Ogawa medium was made. From the 305 sputum specimens processed, a total of 83 mycobacterial isolates were detected. From these 80 (84.3%) isolates were detected with both the MGIT and Septi-Chek systems, respectively, and 50 (60.2%) were detected by the Ogawa egg method. The difference in the percentages of positive cultures between the two systems based on liquid media and the Ogawa egg method was significant (p < 0.001). The mean time for the detection of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex were 16.3 days with the MGIT system, 25.6 days with the Septi-Chek, and 21.5 days with Ogawa egg method. These results indicate that the MGIT system is efficient for the recovery of mycobacteria.