title: Detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis growth by direct microscopic observation has a lower cost, higher sensitivity and higher diagnostic value than liquid and solid media cultures.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Culture is needed to confirm tuberculosis but results are generally obtained after several weeks.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We compared a direct microscopic observation technique for detection of mycobacterial culture positivity (MODS) with the classic solid and MB/BacT cultures in terms of sensitivity, contamination rate, speed and cost on 488 samples.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The sensitivity of the MODS technique--99,2% (162 positive samples) was higher than MB/BacT 78,4% (125 positive samples) and solid culture 69,6% (113 positive samples) P<0.005 for all comparisons. The median times to positivity were 21, 13.3 and 3 days on solid media, B/BacT and MODS respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The MODS technique is faster and more sensitive than both solid media and MB/BacT culture.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Olaru-Peter
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Grigoriu
authors.forename: L V
authors.initials: LV
authors.lastname: Boiculese
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Gradinaru
authors.forename: I I
authors.initials: II
authors.lastname: Macovei
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Diculencu
authors.affiliation: Department of Pulmonary Diseases, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Gr.T.Popa", Iasi, Romania, .
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Grigoriu
mesh_terms: D001431:Bacteriological Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D003955:Diagnostic Tests, Routine / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008853:Microscopy / Q000379:methods*; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013997:Time Factors; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology