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Review
. 2016 May 25:4:33-43.
doi: 10.1016/j.jctube.2016.05.005. eCollection 2016 Aug.

Diagnosis of active tuberculosis disease: From microscopy to molecular techniques

Adam J Caulfield  1 , Nancy L Wengenack  1
Affiliations
Review

Diagnosis of active tuberculosis disease: From microscopy to molecular techniques

Adam J Caulfield et al. J Clin Tuberc Other Mycobact Dis. .

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.

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Figures

Fig 1
Fig. 1
Acid-fast bacilli stains. Mycobacteria are stained with carbol fuchsin-based Kinyoun stain (left) and fluorescent auramine-rhodamine stain (right).
Fig 2
Fig. 2
The BACTEC™ MGIT™ 960 instrument (Becton Dickinson) and culture tubes for broth-based mycobacterial growth.
Fig 3
Fig. 3
The VersaTREK® system (Thermo Fisher Scientific) for broth-based mycobacterial growth. Figure is used by permission of Trek Diagnostic Systems (Thermo Fisher).
Fig 4
Fig. 4
Nucleic acid hybridization probe workflow schematic.
Fig 5
Fig. 5
Line probe assay schematic. The GenoType MTBC test (Hain Lifescience) utilizes several embedded DNA probes to detect and differentiate members of the M. tuberculosis complex. Figure is used by permission of Hain Lifescience.
Fig 6
Fig 6
MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry operation schematic. Fig is used with permission of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, all rights reserved.
Fig 7
Fig. 7
The Cepheid Xpert® system and MTB/RIF test cartridge for the molecular detection of M. tuberculosis complex and rifampin resistance-associated mutations. Image © Cepheid – used by permission.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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