Abstract
Still in 1994, acid-fast staining and smear examination of clinical specimens is the key-procedure for detecting infectious tuberculosis. If the smear is positive for AFB, identification of M. tuberculosis complex might be obtained by direct genetic amplification. As molecular techniques for drug sensitivity testing are not yet readily available in the clinical laboratory, direct drug sensitivity test on solid media is the procedure of choice for detecting drug resistance. If the smear is negative for AFB, the choice is between culture on conventional media, radiometric respirometry and genetic amplification. Culture on conventional media is the gold standard and will remain so as long as respirometry will remain radiometric and genetic amplification will remain of poor sensitivity for the detection of mycobacterial nucleic acid in clinical specimens.
| Translated title of the contribution | Smear, culture and pathological changes for the diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis |
|---|---|
| Original language | French |
| Pages (from-to) | 327-333 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | Medecine et Maladies Infectieuses |
| Volume | 25 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Mar 1995 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- AFB
- Genetic amplification
- M. tuberculosis
- Radiometric respirometry
- Tuberculosis
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Infectious Diseases