Rapid susceptibility testing of Mycobacterium tuberculosis by a radiometric technique

Abstract

The application of a radiometric technique to the determination of the susceptibility of Mycobacterium tuberculosis to various antituberculosis drugs is described. The technique utilises the radiometric assay of ¹⁴CO₂ produced by the action of Mycobacterium tuberculosis on ¹⁴C-palmitic acid substrate. Determination of the growth-index of the isolates under study in the presence of specific antibacterials, compared with that of controls allows determination of susceptibility within four days. Comparison of the technique with standard methods shows a high degree of correlation.