Rapid isolation of Mycobacteria--need of the hour in our settings.

BACKGROUND To compare Bactec MGIT 960 with LJ media in terms of time taken for the initial isolation of mycobacteria. METHODS A total of 100 AFB (acid fast bacillus) positive sputum samples were processed and inoculated in both the Lowenstein Jensen (LJ) media and mycobacterium growth indicator tube (MGIT) tubes. RESULTS Of the 100 samples, positive growth was obtained from all the samples on both the MGIT and LJ media. In MGIT 53% samples grew in 4 days, 30% in 5 days and 17% in 6 days (Mean = 4.6 days) while on LJ media, 44% grew in 30 days, 20% in 35 days and 36% in 44 days (Mean = 37 days). Significant difference was observed between two systems with a p-value of less than 0.05. CONCLUSION Bactec MGIT 960 is a much faster and efficient system for the initial isolation of mycobacteria.