Potential for erroneous results indicating resistance when using the Bactec MGIT 960 system for testing susceptibility of Mycobacterium tuberculosis to pyrazinamide

J Clin Microbiol. 2010 Jan;48(1):300-1. doi: 10.1128/JCM.01775-09. Epub 2009 Nov 18.

Abstract

During susceptibility testing of 743 isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis to pyrazinamide (PZA) using the Bactec 960 system, 57 (7.7%) isolates showed PZA resistance. Repeat testing of resistant isolates with the Bactec 460 reference method confirmed 33 (4.4%) of these isolates as resistant, and 24 (3.2%) were susceptible. Erroneous results for resistance with the Bactec 960 were confirmed by testing the 24 discordant isolates for pyrazinamidase and mutations in the pncA gene.

MeSH terms

  • Antitubercular Agents / pharmacology*
  • Diagnostic Errors*
  • Drug Resistance, Bacterial*
  • Humans
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests / methods*
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis / drug effects*
  • Pyrazinamide / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Antitubercular Agents
  • Pyrazinamide