Evaluation of a new automated, rapid, colorimetric culture system using solid medium for laboratory diagnosis of tuberculosis and determination of anti-tuberculosis drug susceptibility.
METHODS
Department of Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology, Gulhane Military Medical Academy, Ankara, Turkey, a tertiary referral hospital in a region endemic for tuberculosis.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the performance of the Dio-TK Culture System (CS), a new, rapid, automated colorimetric culture system.


METHODS
Dio-TK CS results were compared with routinely used Löwenstein Jensen (LJ) medium and Bactec 460 TB.


RESULTS
In this study, 449 specimens, mostly sputum samples obtained from 348 patients, were evaluated. Mycobacteria were isolated from 31 (6.9%), 23 (5.1%), 18 (4.0%) and 21 (4.7%) of the specimens using Bactec 12B, LJ, Dio-TK Medium and Dio-TK SLC (selective), respectively. The mean time to detection of growth of 13 isolates by Bactec 12B, Dio-TK Medium, Dio-TK SLC and LJ medium was respectively 8.9, 15.1, 17.0 and 26.1 days.


CONCLUSIONS
Dio-TK may be a practical and rapid culture system for daily use. However, the manufacturer should improve the system to minimise the effects of manipulation errors. Comparative studies with a larger number of isolates are needed to standardise drug concentrations used in anti-tuberculosis drug susceptibility testing.
Baylan
O
O
Department of Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology, Gulhane Military Medical Academy, Ankara, Turkey. obaylan@gata.edu.tr
Kisa
O
O
Albay
A
A
Doganci
L
L
D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques / Q000379:methods; D001826:Body Fluids / Q000382:microbiology*; D003124:Colorimetry / Q000379:methods; D003470:Culture Media; D005260:Female; D006772:Hospitals, Military; D006801:Humans; D007755:Laboratories, Hospital; D008297:Male; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests / Q000379:methods*; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013183:Sputum / Q000382:microbiology; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D014421:Turkey
D000995:Antitubercular Agents; D003470:Culture Media