AFB Drug Susceptibility Flexi Panel (4 Drugs) By MGIT - Pure Culture in Pune

Tuberculosis is a chronic respiratory tract infection causing fever, cough and weight loss. It is commonly caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb). Many diagnostic techniques are available for diagnosis of tuberculosis which include staining, culture and nucleic acid detection.  Among nucleic acid detection techniques are polymerase chain reaction (PCR), Cartridge based nucleic acid amplification technique (CBNAAT), Line probe assay (LPA), Next generation sequencing (NGS).
This test offers sensitivity testing for any four first antitubercular agents through Mycobacterium growth indicatory tube (MGIT) . This test is to be booked post a positive M.tb culture report  MGIT. The following fourteen antitubercular agents are available for choosing: Isoniazid, Rifampicin, Ethambutol, Pyrazinamide, Streptomycin, Kanamycin, Moxifloxacin, Amikacin, Ethionamide, Clofazimine, Capreomycin, Bedaquiline, Linezolid, Levofloxacin.

Acid-fast bacillus (AFB) is a particular kind of bacteria. It is the source of tuberculosis and a few other diseases. This deadly bacterial infection is known as tuberculosis or TB. It mostly attacks the lungs. It can also have an impact on the kidneys, spine, and brain, among other body organs. Coughing or sneezing can transmit TB from one person to another.

Both latent and active TB exist. If you suffer from latent TB, your body will contain the TB bacteria. But you won't feel ill. You cannot transmit the illness to others. If you suffer from active TB, you will have symptoms. You will also run the risk of infecting others.

Test Overview

Tuberculosis is a chronic respiratory illness. It results in fever, coughing, and loss of weight. Usually, Mycobacterium tuberculosis is to blame (M.tb). For the identification of tuberculosis, there are numerous diagnostic methods available,

• Staining.
• Culture.
• Nucleic acid detection.

Why is the AFB Drug Susceptibility Flexi Panel (4 Drugs) By MGIT - Pure Culture test done?

This test is carried out when a case of tuberculosis is suspected to be drug-resistant. This could be the case in or more of the following situations -

• Contact with a drug-resistant/failed treatment case.
• Failure of first-line treatment.
• Prior history of use of second-line treatment drugs).
• Resistance identified by nucleic acid-based tests.

AFB tests are frequently used to determine whether a TB infection is current. They could potentially be employed to identify different AFB infections. WHO still advises using the gold standard susceptibility testing results from MGIT. It can take up to 4 weeks, to corroborate findings from LPA & NGS.

Who should do the AFB Drug Susceptibility Flexi Panel (4 Drugs) By MGIT - Pure Culture test?

If you experience any of the symptoms that might indicate TB, like an unexplained cough or fever that lasts for weeks, you should consider getting tested.

What Other Tests Are Ordered Along with the AFB Drug Susceptibility Flexi Panel (4 Drugs) By MGIT - Pure Culture?

This test alone cannot distinguish between latent and active infections. Your doctor will determine which variety you have if a skin or blood test reveals that you have it by -

1. a CT scan.
2. X-ray of the chest.

TB germs are detected by the acid-fast bacillus (AFB) test in your sputum, the mucus produced when you cough.

Written by: Dr Vishal Wadhwa, M.D, D.N.B Microbiology, Medical Affairs