New Diagnostic Methods for Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Infection

Abstract

Rapid and accurate diagnosis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in symptomatic patients is important for the global tuberculosis control strategies. Despite the enormous global burden of TB and the overall low rates of case detection worldwide, conventional diagnostic approaches have relied on tests that have several major limitations until recently, and standard treatment regimens have not changed for more than 30 yr. Recently remarkable progress in the basic science of immunology and molecular biology is ongoing to upgrade the speed and quality of diagnostic service and probably the strategy of the treatment of tuberculosis. In this review, we focus on strengths and limitations of newer tests that are available for the diagnosis of latent and active tuberculosis and the rapid detection of drug resistance, specifically, tests to measure of IFN-gamma released from T-cell by stimulation with M. tuberculosis specific antigens, tests to amplify the nucleic acid for identification of M. tuberculosis complex, and rapid tests to detect drug resistance.