The Evaluation of Bactec, Lowenstein-Jensen culture methods and Erlich Ziehl-Neelsen fluorochrome staining procedures in the diagnosis of tuberculosis

SUMMARY In this study, 340 clinic specimens were investigated for assignment of tuberculosis by Ziehl -Neelsen, fluorochrome stain and Bactec, Lowenstein - Jensen culture! method. In addition, the sensitivity of fluorochrome method for determination of tuberculosis was evaluated. 34 of 340 clinic specimens (10%) were found to be positive in culture. Thirteen (3.8%) of these positive cultures were found to be positive also by Ziehl -Neelsen and 18 (5.3%) by fluorochrome stain. Bactec NAP identification test was applied for Mycobacterium strains. 32 (94.1%) of 34 isolates were identified as M.tuberculosis complex and 2 (5.9%) were as MOTT bacilli. The sensitivity of isolated 32 M.tuberculosis complex strains to streptomycin, INH, rifampin and etambutol were evaluated by Bactec system. Four (12.5%) of the strains were resistant to streptomycin, 9 (28.1%) to INH, 7 (21.8%) to rifampin and 6 (18.7%) to etambutol. Total drug resistance was 43.7 %. Six (18.7%) of the 32 strains were resistant to one of the drugs, 5 (15.6%) to two of the drugs, 2 (6.2%) to three of the drugs and 1 (3.1%) to four of the drugs. 65