Performance assessment of two commercial amplification assays for direct detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex from respiratory and extrapulmonary specimens.

The new BDProbeTec ET Mycobacterium tuberculosis Complex Direct Detection Assay (DTB) was compared with the enhanced M. tuberculosis Amplified Direct Test (AMTDII). The system is an automated walkaway system characterized by simultaneous DNA amplification (strand displacement amplification) and real-time fluorometric detection.

Evaluation of a new method for rapid drug susceptibility testing of Mycobacterium avium complex isolates by using the mycobacteria growth indicator tube.

The reliability of the Mycobacteria Growth Indicator Tube (MGIT [BBL]) for rapid drug susceptibility testing of Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) isolates was evaluated. MICs of amikacin, clarithromycin, clofazimine, ethambutol, and rifabutin were determined by the MGIT system for 16 MAC strains. The results were compared with those obtained by the BACTEC broth macrodilution method.

In vitro activity of the new quinolone lomefloxacin against Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin and lomefloxacin were determined for 90 Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains isolated from both AIDS and other patients. Eleven (12.2%) of these strains showed in vitro resistance to one or more first-line antituberculosis drugs.

Comparative evaluation of the MB-Check system for recovery of mycobacteria from clinical specimens.

The performance of the MB-Check system (Roche) in the recovery of mycobacteria from clinical specimens was compared with that of the Bactec radiometric system and conventional culture on Löwenstein-Jensen medium. A total of 1,582 clinical specimens were used for the study; 74 yielded mycobacteria. Organisms of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium avium complexes accounted for the majority of isolates.