European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Background: Most laboratories do not have facilities for identification of mycobacteria to species level. BD MGIT TBc immunochromatographic strip differentiates mycobacteria grown in liquid media as MTC or NTM. In the present study we clinically correlate NTM identified by above method. Methods: Culture was done by BD BACTEC TMMGIT 960. All positive cultures were subjected to a BD MGIT TBc immunochromatographic strip method for differentiating MTC and NTM. Results: Of the 29 cases of suspected NTM there was a single case of UTI, a case of right frontal lobe abscess, a case of synovitis, a case of post hernioplasty infected mesh and 25 patients were having respiratory symptoms. All patients responded well to antibiotic therapy which included ATT, fluoroquinolones, cephalosporins, azithromycin, clarithromycin singly or in combination. Conclusions: Diagnosis of NTM done with BD MGIT TBc immunochromatographic card test was found to useful in the absence of a definitive species identification.