title: Comparison of the automated Cobas Amplicor Mycobacterium tuberculosis assay with the conventional methods for direct detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex in respiratory and extrapulmonary specimens.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the recently available Cobas Amplicor polymerase chain reaction (PCR) system for the detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) in well-characterized clinical specimens and to compare the results with clinical classification, conventional culture and staining techniques.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three hundred and forty-four clinical specimens consecutively received for culture of acid-fast bacilli by the laboratory of Zayed Military Hospital, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, from 2004 to 2005, were used in this study. Acid-fast bacilli and culture for tuberculosis were compared with Cobas Amplicor PCR.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The final diagnostic evaluation of the Cobas Amplicor MTB showed the followings: sensitivity 73.3%, specificity 99.4%, positive predictive value 84.6%, negative predictive value 98.8% and with accuracy of 98.2% for the Cobas Amplicor MTB assay.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The automated Cobas Amplicor MTB assay is suitable for routine use in clinical laboratories.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Zayed Military Hospital, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. uaenow@emirates.net.ae
authors.forename: Mubarak S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Alfaresi
authors.forename: Adeel I
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Abdulsalam
authors.forename: Abida A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Elkoush
mesh_terms: D001980:Bronchi / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013183:Sputum / Q000382:microbiology*; D013194:Staining and Labeling
chemical_list: D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic