Evaluation of MODS Culture in the Diagnosis of Pulmonary Tuberculosis

Background and Objectives Culture of M. tuberculosis is the golden standard for the diagnosis of TB which is a much more sensitive test than Smear examination. There is a strong need to use the new assays in order to speed up diagnostic methods. The aim of this research was to determine the evaluation of Microscopic Observation Drug Susceptibility culture in pulmonary tuberculosis in comparison with Ziehl-Neelsen stain and Lowenstein-Jensen culture of sputum. Methods The research method was a Cross-sectional (diagnostic test) and the technique was observational-interview type. If the patient s history revealed clinical criteria compatible with TB and the infectious specialist s judgment was that of "TB suspected case the patient was considered a pulmonary TB suspect. Then in addition to sputum Ziehl-Neelsen stain and culture for Lowenstein-Jensen we carried out MODS culture as well. Results 100 patients (48 male 52 female) with mean age of 52.9 ± 21.83 were evaluated. During sputum examination 40% were Ziehl-Neelsen stain positive while 30% had positive sputum culture for Mycobacterium Tuberculosis in Lowenstein-Jensen and 47% had positive MODS culture. In comparison with sputum smear and Lowenstein-Jensen culture MODS had a sensitivity of 82.5% and 86% specificity of 77% and 70% positive predictive value of 70% and 55% negative predictive value of 86% and 92% respectively. Conclusion MODS culture demonstrated faster recovery and higher negative predictive value than by Lowenstein-Jensen method; it could be a simple and rapid method in the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis.