Defining threshold values in microscopic examination and qPCR for optimal performance of line probe assays for resistance detection in Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex

Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis. 2019 Oct;95(2):159-161. doi: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2019.06.001. Epub 2019 Jun 11.

Abstract

Line probe assays enable rapid detection of drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis directly from clinical specimens. This study shows that defining threshold values in microscopic examination or PCR detection of M. tuberculosis optimizes line probe assay efficiency, thereby avoiding costs and loss of time due to unnecessary molecular testing.

Keywords: Drug resistance detection; Line probe assay; Microscopy; Mycobacterium tuberculosis; qPCR.

MeSH terms

  • Antitubercular Agents / pharmacology
  • Bacteriological Techniques / methods*
  • Bacteriological Techniques / standards*
  • Drug Resistance, Bacterial* / drug effects
  • Drug Resistance, Bacterial* / genetics
  • Humans
  • Microscopy / standards
  • Molecular Diagnostic Techniques / methods*
  • Molecular Diagnostic Techniques / standards*
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis / cytology
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis / drug effects
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis / genetics
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis / isolation & purification*
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction / standards
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Tuberculosis / diagnosis*
  • Tuberculosis / microbiology

Substances

  • Antitubercular Agents