Laboratory methods for diagnosis and detection of drug resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex with reference to developing countries: a review.
OBJECTIVE
To outline principles, advantages and limitations of the currently available laboratory methods for diagnosis and detection of drug resistance of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex.


METHODS
Published series of peer reviewed journals and manuals written on laboratory methods that are currently used for diagnosis and detection of drug resistance of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex were reviewed using the index medicus, pubmed and medline search. Conventional bacteriological microscopy and culture, BACTEC, and molecular-based techniques were included. Basic principles, advantages and limitations of the cited techniques have been highlighted.


CONCLUSIONS
Conventional bacteriological microscopy and culture are usually used for diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) particularly in developing countries. However, their limited sensitivity, specificity and delayed results make this provision inadequate. Despite the development of quicker and more sensitive novel diagnostic techniques, their complexity and high cost has limited their use in many poor-resource countries. Due to the rapidly growing TB problem in these countries, there is urgent need to assess promising alternative methodologies in settings with high disease prevalence.
Githui
W A
WA
Centre for Respiratory Diseases Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, P.O. Box 47855, Nairobi, Kenya.
D001431:Bacteriological Techniques / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D019411:Clinical Laboratory Techniques / Q000592:standards; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D003906:Developing Countries; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial; D019353:Endemic Diseases / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009170:Nontuberculous Mycobacteria / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D015995:Prevalence; D011874:Radiometry / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012699:Serology / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D013997:Time Factors; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*
D004269:DNA, Bacterial