Evaluation of the performance of a novel sputum processing ReaSLR methodology for culture of sputum samples in solid and liquid media in comparison with modified Petroff's method

摘要

Background: Early case detection by sputum smear microscopy is a crucial step in the control of pulmonary tuberculosis in high burden countries. Due to low sensitivity of this rapid and cost effective method, culture of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) is considered as the gold standard. Modified Petroff's method using 2-4 sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and N-acetyl- L-cysteine (NALC) to digest and at the same time to decontaminate the specimen is widely used in developing countries prior to culture. This method is considered tedious and cumbersome. A novel ReaSLR (ReaMetrix's Sputum Liquefying Reagent) methodology has been proposed as a simple and low-cost method for sputum processing. This study was undertaken to evaluate the performance of the ReaSLR method of sputum processing prior to culture in comparison to the modified Petroff's method.