Detection and identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis directly from sputum sediments by amplification of rRNA.
Seven hundred fifty-eight processed sputum sediments received for the diagnosis of tuberculosis or other mycobacterial infections were tested by utilizing a rRNA target amplification assay and traditional culture techniques. The results from the rRNA target amplification assay (Gen-Probe Amplified Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Direct Test), available in 5 h, were compared with the results from standard culture techniques held for 6 weeks. A total of 119 specimens (16%) were culture positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Overall sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 82, 99, 97, and 96%, respectively, for the Gen-Probe assay; 88, 100, 100, and 97%, respectively, for culture; and 53, 99.8, 99.6, and 91%, respectively, for fluorochrome stain. The Gen-Probe assay employs the isothermal enzymatic amplification of M. tuberculosis complex rRNA followed by detection of the amplicon with an acridinium ester-labeled DNA probe. This assay has the potential of reducing the time for diagnosis of tuberculosis to 1 day.
Jonas
V
V
Public Health Laboratory, Orange County Health Care Agency, Santa Ana, California 92706.
Alden
M J
MJ
Curry
J I
JI
Kamisango
K
K
Knott
C A
CA
Lankford
R
R
Wolfe
J M
JM
Moore
D F
DF
D005784:Gene Amplification; D006801:Humans; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012335:RNA, Ribosomal / Q000235:genetics*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013183:Sputum / Q000382:microbiology*
D012335:RNA, Ribosomal