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Evaluation of the COBAS AMPLICOR MTB system
T Bodmer1, A Gurtner, M Scholkmann
1Institute for Medical Microbiology, University of Berne, Switzerland. thbodmer@imm.unibe.ch
Journal of Clinical Microbiology
|June 1, 1997
Summary
The COBAS AMPLICOR MTB system accurately detects Mycobacterium tuberculosis in respiratory samples. This polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test showed high sensitivity and specificity compared to traditional culture methods.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Molecular Diagnostics
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis relies on sensitive and specific detection methods.
- Molecular diagnostic tools offer potential for rapid and accurate identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
- Evaluating new diagnostic platforms is crucial for improving TB patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the performance of the COBAS AMPLICOR MTB system for detecting Mycobacterium tuberculosis in respiratory sediments.
- To compare the sensitivity and specificity of the COBAS AMPLICOR MTB system against fluorescence microscopy and culture.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 1,012 respiratory sediment specimens.
- Detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification with the COBAS AMPLICOR MTB system.
- Comparison of diagnostic accuracy with fluorescence microscopy and culture.
Main Results:
- The COBAS AMPLICOR MTB system demonstrated high sensitivity (92.6%) and specificity (99.6%) compared to culture.
- Fluorescence microscopy showed comparable sensitivity (95.6%) and specificity (95.3%) to culture.
- Inhibition, a potential challenge for PCR, occurred in 4.7% of specimens.
Conclusions:
- The COBAS AMPLICOR MTB system is a sensitive and specific molecular diagnostic tool for Mycobacterium tuberculosis detection.
- This PCR-based method offers a valuable alternative to conventional diagnostic techniques.
- Further optimization may be needed to address PCR inhibition in certain respiratory samples.