Completed studies Studies on sputum transported in cetyl pyridinium chloride for detection of M. tuberculosis Background Drug resistance surveys require transportation of sputum samples collected from pulmonary TB patients in cetyl pyridinium chloride

APPLIED RESEARCH Completed studies Studies on sputum transported in cetyl pyridinium chloride for detection of M. tuberculosis Background Drug resistance surveys require transportation of sputum samples collected from pulmonary TB patients in cetyl pyridinium chloride (CPC) solution to the reference laboratory for bacteriological investigations. It was observed that smears from sputum transported in powder CPC (P-CPC) yielded less AFB. Aim • To elucidate the reasons for the reduction of AFB positivity in sputum transported with P-CPC Specific objectives • To detect and demonstrate any cell wall changes after exposure to CPC using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and phage adsorption assay • To estimate the proportion of metabolically active cells of M. tuberculosis after exposure to CPC using fluorescein diacetate-ethidium bromide (FDAEB) vital staining method and viable count • To determine changes in mycolic acid content of tubercle bacilli exposed to CPC using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Results and conclusion