Diagnosis of active tuberculosis disease: From microscopy to molecular techniques

Adam J Caulfield; Nancy L Wengenack

doi:10.1016/j.jctube.2016.05.005

Diagnosis of active tuberculosis disease: From microscopy to molecular techniques

J Clin Tuberc Other Mycobact Dis. 2016 May 25:4:33-43. doi: 10.1016/j.jctube.2016.05.005. eCollection 2016 Aug.

Authors

Adam J Caulfield¹, Nancy L Wengenack¹

Affiliation

¹ Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester, MN 55905, United States.

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.

Keywords: Acid-fast staining; GeneXpert MTB/RIF assay; MALDI-TOF; Sequencing; Sputum processing; Tuberculosis culture.

Publication types

Review