Evaluation of the Roche Septi-Chek AFB system for recovery of mycobacteria.
The Septi-Chek AFB system for the recovery of mycobacteria from clinical specimens was compared with a conventional approach using Lowenstein-Jensen and Middlebrook 7H11 agars. A total of 1,532 clinical specimens were analyzed; 132 yielded mycobacteria. Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium avium complexes were the predominant isolates. With the conventional combination of Lowenstein-Jensen and 7H11 agars, 75.8% of the isolates were recovered; the Septi-Chek AFB allowed recovery of 100% of the isolates. Septi-Chek AFB required less time for the detection of mycobacteria than did the conventional media.
D'Amato
R F
RF
Department of Pathology, Catholic Medical Center of Brooklyn & Queens, Inc., Jamaica, New York 11432-3723.
Isenberg
H D
HD
Hochstein
L
L
Mastellone
A J
AJ
Alperstein
P
P
D000362:Agar; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D003470:Culture Media; D006801:Humans; D009162:Mycobacterium avium / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification*
D003470:Culture Media; D000362:Agar