title: Selecting criteria for improving results of an immunochromatographic assay for Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex identification from BacT/ALERT cultures.
abstract: We describe a combined macro and microscopic criteria for rapid presumptive differentiation between Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTC) and nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) evaluated by two independent observers. This strategy achieved rapid MTC identification in most cases (95.8% expert observer and 91.6% novice observer) with significant savings compared to more expensive and unnecessary tests.
authors.affiliation: Microbiology laboratory, Clinic Biotechnology Management Unit, Torrecardenas Hospital Complex, Almeria, Spain. mariajose.munoz5@um.es
authors.forename: María José
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Munoz-Davila
authors.forename: Emilio Leiva
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Tápia
authors.forename: Ignacio Segura
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Díaz
authors.forename: María Aurora Cejudo
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: García
authors.forename: Miguel José
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Martinez-Lirola
mesh_terms: D015373:Bacterial Typing Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D002846:Chromatography, Affinity / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D009164:Mycobacterium Infections / Q000382:microbiology; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D009170:Nontuberculous Mycobacteria / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013183:Sputum / Q000382:microbiology
keywords: Criteria; Definitive identification; Presumptive differentiation; Saving