Comparison of Amplified Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Direct Test (MTD), Amplicor Mycobacteria kit (Amplicor) and PCR Method for Detection Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Clinical Specimens

Abstract
Accuracy amplified Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Direct Test (MTD), Amplicor Mycobacteria kit (Amplicor) and PCR method routinely used in the University of Tokyo Hospital (J. Clin. Microbiol. 31: 446-450 1991) were evaluated and compared with the same samples. The detection limits of MTD, Amplicor and PCR method (University of Tokyo) were 0.01-0.1 CFU/tube, 0.625 CFU/tube and 0.2 CFU/tube respectively, which were almost the same. These were shown to be at least as sensitive as the conventional culture techniques. The Tokyo Univ. method using radioisotope, takes up to 3 days, on the other hand 2 kits take 4-5 hours. These kits become useful tools for the early and rapid detection of M. tuberculosis in uncultured clinical specimens. But the risk of laboratory contamination and false-positive results remain. These must be further improved.

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