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Clinical evaluation of a commercial ligase-based gene amplification method for detection ofMycobacterium tuberculosis

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical usefulness of a commercial ligase-based gene amplification method (LCxMycobacterium tuberculosis test; Abbott Laboratories, USA) for detection ofMycobacterium tuberculosis. The tuberculosis infection rate among clinical samples was 10.6%. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were 23.5%, 100%, 100%, and 91.7%, respectively, with the fluorochrome auramine stain; 32.4%, 100%, 100%, and 92.6%, respectively, with culture; and 76.5%, 95.8%, 68.4% and 97.2%, respectively, with the gene amplification method. When only samples from patients without current or previous treatment were studied, the sensitivity was 36.4% with the auramine stain, 63.6% with culture, and 100% with the gene amplification assay. The mean treatment time for culture-negative and assay-negative samples was greater than that of culture-negative and assay-positive samples. The LCxMycobacterium tuberculosis test is a sensitive method for detection and identification ofMycobacterium tuberculosis. It produces few false-positive results. However, as it can remain positive after the culture becomes negative, it is not recommended for evaluation of treatment efficiency.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Central Laboratory, Regional Hospital, Monforte de Lemos, E-27400, Lugo, Spain

    P. Alonso & A. San Miguel

  2. Microbiology Service, University Teaching Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, E-47005, Valladolid, Spain

    A. Orduña, M. A. Bratos & A. Rodríguez Torres

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  1. P. Alonso
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  2. A. Orduña
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  3. M. A. Bratos
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  4. A. San Miguel
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  5. A. Rodríguez Torres
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Alonso, P., Orduña, A., Bratos, M.A. et al. Clinical evaluation of a commercial ligase-based gene amplification method for detection ofMycobacterium tuberculosis . Eur. J. Clin. Microbiol. Infect. Dis. 17, 371–376 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01691563

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