INCREASED CARBON DIOXIDE TENSION AND PRIMARY ISOLATION OF MYCOBACTERIA

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
During a 21-month period, 4070 sputum specimens were collected from 285 tuberculous patients receiving isoniazid therapy. The specimens were incubated both under increased CO2 tension (approximately 3 to 10%) and in air. Cultures positive for acid-fast bacilli were obtained from 1453 (35.70%) specimens. Of these positive specimens, 725 (49.90%) produced growth only under increased CO2 tension, and 509 (35.03%) produced observable growth earlier under CO2 than in air.