Specimen:
Specimen may consist of following elements according to the site of infection.

• Sputum
• Gastric washing
• urine
• Pleural fluid
• Spinal fluid
• Joint Fluid
• Biopsy material.

Staining Technique:

Ziehl-Nelson Staining or auramine rhodamin staining technique is used. This procedure reveals acid fast bacilli under the microscope.

Culture:

Sputum is treated with 2 percent NAOH and inoculated into lowenstein jensen medium. Colonies develop in 4 - 6 weeks. 

In BACTEC medium radioactive CO2 is produced which can be detected to confirm mycobacteria.

Luceferase Assay:

Enzyme luciferase produces light in the presence of ATP. Drug sensitive bacteria will produce less ATP and hence it will give less light than the drug resistive bacteria. This test is used to detect drug sensitivity. 

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Treatment And Prevention Of Tuberculosis (TB)