Rapid Antibiotic Susceptibility Assay for TB Is in the Works

An investigational assay offers rapid antimicrobial susceptibility testing for Mycobacterium tuberculosis directly from sputum samples.

One factor that helps give rise to multidrug-resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is the prolonged time required to perform traditional phenotypic antimicrobial susceptibility testing. In 2010 the advent of automated molecular testing (AMT) permitted assays on unprocessed sputum samples for both Mtb and rifampin resistance (NEJM JW Infect Dis Nov 2010 and N Engl J Med 2010; 363:1005). In a prospective trial, researchers have now assessed the ability of a more-rapid AMT assay (provided by the manufacturer) to determine Mtb resistance to fluoroquinolones, aminoglycosides, and isoniazid on unprocessed sputum.

Sputum samples from 308 individuals with confirmed pulmonary tuberculosis were studied, including 194 that had strains r…

Reviewing Author

Richard T. Ellison III, MD

Disclosures

Consult/Advisory BoardAcurx Pharmaceuticals, LLC;

Grant/Research SupportDoctors Company Foundation, Massachusetts Department of Public Health

Richard T. Ellison III, MD

Disclosures

Consult/Advisory BoardAcurx Pharmaceuticals, LLC;

Grant/Research SupportDoctors Company Foundation, Massachusetts Department of Public Health

Rapid Antibiotic Susceptibility Assay for TB Is in the Works

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Reviewing Author