Feasibility of magnetic bead technology for concentration of mycobacteria in sputum prior to fluorescence microscopy

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Direct sputum smear microscopy is the mainstay of TB diagnosis in most low and middle income countries, and is highly specific for <it>Mycobacterium tuberculosis </it>in such settings. However it is limited by low sensiti...

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Main Authors: Manabe Yukari, Nyesiga Barnabas, Lukyamuzi George, Ademun Patrick J, Albert Heidi, Joloba Moses, Wilson Stuart, Perkins Mark D
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2011-05-01
Series:BMC Infectious Diseases
Online Access:http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2334/11/125
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author Manabe Yukari
Nyesiga Barnabas
Lukyamuzi George
Ademun Patrick J
Albert Heidi
Joloba Moses
Wilson Stuart
Perkins Mark D
author_facet Manabe Yukari
Nyesiga Barnabas
Lukyamuzi George
Ademun Patrick J
Albert Heidi
Joloba Moses
Wilson Stuart
Perkins Mark D
author_sort Manabe Yukari
collection DOAJ
description <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Direct sputum smear microscopy is the mainstay of TB diagnosis in most low and middle income countries, and is highly specific for <it>Mycobacterium tuberculosis </it>in such settings. However it is limited by low sensitivity, particularly in HIV co-infected patients. Concentration by centrifugation has been reported to be more sensitive than direct smear preparation, but is only suitable for referral laboratories. Simpler concentration methods that could be applied in peripheral laboratories are urgently needed.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We evaluated the feasibility of an early prototype ligand-coated magnetic bead technology to concentrate <it>M. tuberculosis </it>prior to detection by LED-based fluorescence microscopy compared with direct Ziehl-Neelsen microscopy and direct and concentrated fluorescence microscopy in a reference laboratory in Kampala, Uganda. Results were compared with MGIT 960 liquid culture and Lowenstein-Jensen culture.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Compared to culture, concentrated FM had significantly higher sensitivity than direct ZN (74.8% and 51.4%), magnetic bead-FM (65.4%) and direct FM (58.9%). The sensitivity of magnetic bead FM was significantly higher than direct ZN (p < 0.001) but not significantly higher than direct FM (p = 0.210). The specificity of magnetic bead FM and concentrated FM was significantly lower than direct ZN (88.6%, 94.3% and 98.9% respectively) and direct FM (99.4%). There was no significant difference in specificity between magnetic bead FM and concentrated FM. Allowing for blinded resolution of discrepant results, the specificity of magnetic bead FM increased to 93.1%. Direct microscopy was simpler than concentrated FM and Magnetic bead FM which both had a similar number of steps.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The sensitivity of the early prototype magnetic bead FM was lower than concentrated FM, similar to direct FM, and significantly higher than direct ZN. Both magnetic bead and concentration by centrifugation led to reduced specificity compared with the direct smear methods. Some magnetic bead FM false positive results were not easily explained and should be further investigated. The prototype version of the magnetic bead procedure tested here was of similar complexity to concentration by centrifugation. As such, if the sensitivity of the magnetic bead FM could be improved in future versions of the technology, this may offer a viable alternative to centrifugation.</p>
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spelling doaj.art-83f510042c1545f99a7427475bd0cd2d2022-12-22T01:47:51ZengBMCBMC Infectious Diseases1471-23342011-05-0111112510.1186/1471-2334-11-125Feasibility of magnetic bead technology for concentration of mycobacteria in sputum prior to fluorescence microscopyManabe YukariNyesiga BarnabasLukyamuzi GeorgeAdemun Patrick JAlbert HeidiJoloba MosesWilson StuartPerkins Mark D<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Direct sputum smear microscopy is the mainstay of TB diagnosis in most low and middle income countries, and is highly specific for <it>Mycobacterium tuberculosis </it>in such settings. However it is limited by low sensitivity, particularly in HIV co-infected patients. Concentration by centrifugation has been reported to be more sensitive than direct smear preparation, but is only suitable for referral laboratories. Simpler concentration methods that could be applied in peripheral laboratories are urgently needed.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We evaluated the feasibility of an early prototype ligand-coated magnetic bead technology to concentrate <it>M. tuberculosis </it>prior to detection by LED-based fluorescence microscopy compared with direct Ziehl-Neelsen microscopy and direct and concentrated fluorescence microscopy in a reference laboratory in Kampala, Uganda. Results were compared with MGIT 960 liquid culture and Lowenstein-Jensen culture.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Compared to culture, concentrated FM had significantly higher sensitivity than direct ZN (74.8% and 51.4%), magnetic bead-FM (65.4%) and direct FM (58.9%). The sensitivity of magnetic bead FM was significantly higher than direct ZN (p < 0.001) but not significantly higher than direct FM (p = 0.210). The specificity of magnetic bead FM and concentrated FM was significantly lower than direct ZN (88.6%, 94.3% and 98.9% respectively) and direct FM (99.4%). There was no significant difference in specificity between magnetic bead FM and concentrated FM. Allowing for blinded resolution of discrepant results, the specificity of magnetic bead FM increased to 93.1%. Direct microscopy was simpler than concentrated FM and Magnetic bead FM which both had a similar number of steps.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The sensitivity of the early prototype magnetic bead FM was lower than concentrated FM, similar to direct FM, and significantly higher than direct ZN. Both magnetic bead and concentration by centrifugation led to reduced specificity compared with the direct smear methods. Some magnetic bead FM false positive results were not easily explained and should be further investigated. The prototype version of the magnetic bead procedure tested here was of similar complexity to concentration by centrifugation. As such, if the sensitivity of the magnetic bead FM could be improved in future versions of the technology, this may offer a viable alternative to centrifugation.</p>http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2334/11/125
spellingShingle Manabe Yukari
Nyesiga Barnabas
Lukyamuzi George
Ademun Patrick J
Albert Heidi
Joloba Moses
Wilson Stuart
Perkins Mark D
Feasibility of magnetic bead technology for concentration of mycobacteria in sputum prior to fluorescence microscopy
BMC Infectious Diseases
title Feasibility of magnetic bead technology for concentration of mycobacteria in sputum prior to fluorescence microscopy
title_full Feasibility of magnetic bead technology for concentration of mycobacteria in sputum prior to fluorescence microscopy
title_fullStr Feasibility of magnetic bead technology for concentration of mycobacteria in sputum prior to fluorescence microscopy
title_full_unstemmed Feasibility of magnetic bead technology for concentration of mycobacteria in sputum prior to fluorescence microscopy
title_short Feasibility of magnetic bead technology for concentration of mycobacteria in sputum prior to fluorescence microscopy
title_sort feasibility of magnetic bead technology for concentration of mycobacteria in sputum prior to fluorescence microscopy
url http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2334/11/125
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