AIMS To compare the recovery of mycobacteria from clinical samples using the MB/BacT rapid culture system with that obtained using egg medium or the Bactec radiometric method. METHODS The three methods were compared using 681 clinical samples (462 respiratory and 219 non-respiratory samples) and eight external quality control strains. Culture media were incubated at 35-37 degrees C for six we...

The reliability of the MB/BACT system for susceptibility testing of Mycobacterium tuberculosis to pyrazinamide, rifampin, isoniazid, streptomycin, and ethambutol was compared to the BACTEC 460TB system. The proportion method was used to resolve discrepant results by an independent arbiter. Two interpretative methods were used, with an undiluted control (direct control) and a diluted control (10...

The reliability of the Mycobacteria Growth Indicator Tube (MGIT) 960 system for rapid antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) of Mycobacterium tuberculosis was evaluated. Forty-seven isolates, including 10 fully susceptible and 37 resistant strains, were tested for susceptibility to the critical concentrations of streptomycin (STR), isoniazid (INH), rifampin (RMP), and ethambutol (EMB), as r...

The one-bottle Oxoid Signal blood culture system altered to provide a more aerobic bottle headspace was reassessed in a comparative study versus the two-bottle BACTEC radiometric system in 5,426 blood cultures. The BACTEC system detected more microorganisms (P less than 0.02), particularly anaerobes (P less than 0.05) and fungi (P less than 0.05).

Simulated candidemia was produced with 20 Candida isolates at three inoculum sizes (100, 10, and 1 CFU/ml of blood). Growth detection was better with larger inocula. The time to growth detection was shorter with larger inocula. Inoculum size does effect Candida growth detection and time to detection in BACTEC 9240 automated systems.

Comparison of conventional blood culture media with newer formulations of Bactec media for radiometric detection are lacking. Therefore, we compared the yield and speed of detection of clinically important microorganisms with supplemented peptone broth (SPB) and Bactec aerobic (6B) and anaerobic (7C or 7D) broths in 7,627 blood samples from adult patients. Acridine orange stains from SPB, radio...

Aims. To compare HB&L and BACTEC systems for detecting the microorganisms contaminating the corneal storage liquid preserved at 31°C. Methods. Human donor corneas were stored at 4°C followed by preservation at 31°C. Samples of the storage medium were inoculated in BACTEC Peds Plus/F (aerobic microorganisms), BACTEC Plus Anaerobic/F (anaerobic microorganisms), and HB&L bottles. The tests were pe...

Pseudobacteremias in blood cultures performed on the BACTEC radiometric blood culture system have been reported. We report three cases of cross contamination with Mycobacterium avium that occurred when mycobacteria were cultured with the BACTEC 460 TB system. Malfunction of the needle sterilization heating block was demonstrated.

A variety of blood culture media were compared to determine the optimal method for the isolation of Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare (MAI) from the blood of patients with AIDS. Simulated laboratory blood cultures and clinical blood cultures were tested. Glucose broth, Bactec aerobic medium, Kirschner's medium, and Bactec Middlebrook medium supported the growth of MAI. The Isolator system, a l...