Evaluation of the COBAS AMPLICOR MTB test for the detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex.
We evaluated the COBAS AMPLICOR polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based test for the detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex in 866 respiratory and non-respiratory samples. Acid-fast staining and culture on Lowenstein-Jensen medium were also performed on all samples. Of the 866 samples tested, 87 (10.0%) were PCR-positive compared to 94 (10.9%) culture positive. There were no false positive results but 7 PCR-negative, culture-positive samples were, considered false negatives after reviewing medical records of patients. A PCR inhibitory rate of 2.0% (17/866) was observed in respiratory samples only. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values for this test were 92.5%, 100%, 100% and 99.1% respectively. This test is a valuable diagnostic tool for today's mycobacteriology laboratory.
Abu-Amero
K K
KK
Molecular Genetics and DNA Diagnostics Laboratory, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Halablab
M A
MA
D001706:Biopsy; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000382:microbiology; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods; D002555:Cerebrospinal Fluid / Q000382:microbiology; D004396:Coloring Agents; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D006801:Humans; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000235:genetics*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012529:Saudi Arabia; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013183:Sputum / Q000382:microbiology; D013997:Time Factors; D014132:Trachea / Q000382:microbiology; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology
D004396:Coloring Agents; D004269:DNA, Bacterial