Direct-from-sputum rapid phenotypic drug susceptibility test for mycobacteria

Abstract

The spread of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is a leading global public-health challenge. Because not all biological-mechanisms of resistance are known, culture-based (phenotypic) drug-susceptibility testing (DST) provides important information that influences clinical decision-making. Current phenotypic tests typically require pre-culture to ensure bacterial loads are at a testable level (taking 2-4 weeks) followed by 10-14 days to confirm growth, or lack thereof.