Caulfield AJ, Wengenack NL. Diagnosis of active tuberculosis disease: From microscopy to molecular techniques.
J Clin Tuberc Other Mycobact Dis 2016;
4:33-43. [PMID:
31723686 PMCID:
PMC6850262 DOI:
10.1016/j.jctube.2016.05.005]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2016] [Revised: 05/12/2016] [Accepted: 05/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Methods used for the laboratory diagnosis of tuberculosis are continually evolving in order to achieve more rapid, less expensive, and accurate results. Acid-fast staining and culture for mycobacteria remain at the core of any diagnostic algorithm. Following growth in culture, molecular technologies such as nucleic acid hybridization probes, MALDI-TOF MS, and DNA sequencing may be used for definitive species identification. Nucleic acid amplification methods allow for the direct detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex within respiratory specimens without relying on culture growth, leading to more rapid diagnoses and appropriate patient care.
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