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Comparison of Mycobacterium tuberculosis culture using liquid culture medium and Lowenstein Jensen medium in abdominal tuberculosis

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Abstract

Background

Traditionally, the Lowenstein Jensen (LJ) medium has been used for culturing Mycobacterium tuberculosis. In abdominal tuberculosis (TB), the reported yield from tissue culture is between 20% and 60%. Liquid cultures are reported to give a higher yield but there is little data available in abdominal TB.

Aim

To compare the yield of TB culture with BACTEC 460TB liquid medium and LJ medium for patients with suspected abdominal TB and determine cost effectiveness.

Methods

This prospective study was done in consecutive cases with clinical, radiological, endoscopic/surgical, and histological suspicion of abdominal TB. Tissue biopsies obtained at colonoscopy or surgery were processed and plated on LJ medium as well as the BACTEC 460TB system. NAP (ρ-nitro-α-acetylamino-β-hydroxy-propiophenone) differentiation was carried out to determine species. The cost of each method and cost per yield were calculated.

Results

Of the 29 cases, 22 cases (76%) were positive on BACTEC 460TB culture while 14 (48%) were positive on LJ medium giving a 64% increment in yield. However, the culture of one patient grew on LJ medium, where the BACTEC 460TB was negative. The additional cost of BACTEC 460TB is Rs. 460 and LJ is Rs. 40.

Conclusions

Samples from patients with abdominal TB should be processed on both liquid and LJ medium. For high yield, the use of a liquid culture medium system is essential.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of GI Surgery, P D Hinduja Hospital and Medical Research Centre, Mumbai, 400 016, India

    Sudeep R. Shah

  2. Division of Microbiology, P D Hinduja Hospital and Medical Research Centre, Mumbai, 400 016, India

    Shubhada Shenai & Camilla Rodrigues

  3. Division of Gastroenterology, P D Hinduja Hospital and Medical Research Centre, Mumbai, 400 016, India

    Devendra C. Desai, Anand Joshi & Philip Abraham

Authors
  1. Sudeep R. Shah
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  2. Shubhada Shenai
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  3. Devendra C. Desai
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  4. Anand Joshi
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  5. Philip Abraham
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  6. Camilla Rodrigues
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sudeep R. Shah.

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Shah, S.R., Shenai, S., Desai, D.C. et al. Comparison of Mycobacterium tuberculosis culture using liquid culture medium and Lowenstein Jensen medium in abdominal tuberculosis. Indian J Gastroenterol 29, 237–239 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12664-010-0075-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12664-010-0075-3

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