Current Laboratory Methods for the Diagnosis of Tuberculosis

Abstract

This chapter presents a broad picture of activities in a diagnostic mycobacteriology laboratory. It addresses the methodology currently available in most laboratories as well as the techniques that require further standardization and therefore have been implemented in only a few laboratories, mostly in conjunction with research and development. It provides short descriptions of these new methods in order to review their possible application in clinical laboratories. It also gives a condensed description of biosafety practices. In order to present a comprehensive review of all activities that take place in a clinical mycobacteriology laboratory, the chapter focuses on biosafety in the mycobacteriology laboratory, and specimen collection, smear examination, and inoculation of primary culture media. It then describes methods for identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Finally, the chapter talks about drug susceptibility testing for detection of initial and acquired drug resistance.