Abstract
Tuberculosis (TB) remains a worldwide health problem, especially in developing countries. Correct identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) infection is extremely important for providing appropriate treatment and care to patients. Here we describe a solid phase extraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method (SPE-THM-GC-MS) for the detection of five biomarkers for M. tuberculosis. The method for classification is developed and validated through the analysis of 112 sputum samples from patients suspected of having TB. Twenty of twenty-five MTB culture-positive sputum samples were correctly classified as positive by our improved SPE-THM-GC-MS method. Eighty-five of eighty-seven MTB culture-negative samples were also negative by SPE-THM-GC-MS. The overall sensitivity of the new SPE-THM-GC-MS method is 80% (20/25) and the specificity is 98% (85/87) compared with culture. The method proved to be reliable and, although complex in principle, easy to operate due to the high degree of automation.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
