Testing Drug Resistance in Non-Tubercular Mycobacteria
Author Information
Author(s): Sankar Manimuthu Mani, Gopinath Krishnamoorthy, Singla Roopak, Singh Sarman
Primary Institution: All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
Hypothesis
Can the Tetrazolium Microplate Assay (TEMA) provide a rapid and effective method for drug susceptibility testing of non-tubercular mycobacteria in resource-limited settings?
Conclusion
The Tetrazolium Microplate Assay is a rapid and highly reproducible method for testing drug susceptibility in non-tubercular mycobacteria.
Supporting Evidence
- 41.8% of the isolates were sensitive to all tested drugs.
- 58.2% of the isolates were resistant to at least one drug.
- TEMA results showed 96.4% to 100% concordance with the Agar Proportion Method.
- Susceptibility results were obtained in a median of 5 to 9 days using TEMA.
- NTM isolates were highly sensitive to Ofloxacin (98.18%) and Ciprofloxacin (90.09%).
Takeaway
Scientists found a quick way to test if certain germs can be treated with medicine, which helps doctors know how to help sick people faster.
Methodology
Fifty-five non-tubercular mycobacteria isolates were tested for drug susceptibility using the Tetrazolium Microplate Assay and results were compared with the Agar Proportion Method.
Limitations
The method should only be performed in tertiary level Mycobacteriology laboratories with proper bio-safety conditions.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website