Abstract: Objective To compare the using value of the automatic BACTEC MGIT960 system with Lowenstein-Jensen (L-J) culture method in culture, identification and drug susceptibility test of Mycobacterium. Methods A total of 435 cases (including 319 male patients and 116 female patients with average age 52.3 years) were detected by sputum smear for acid-fast staining, L-J culture and MGIT960 liquid culture, respectively. The culture-positive samples were further performed drug susceptibility test on isoniazid (INH), rifampicin (RIF), streptomycin (STR) and ethambutol (EMB) using the absolute concentration method on L-J medium and MGIT960 method, respectively. Their culture-positive rate, culture time and coincidence rate were analyzed.  Results The positive coincidence rate of MGIT960 and L-J culture with sputum smear were 90.8% (187/206) and 89.3% (184/206), respectively. The coincidence rate of MGIT960 and L-J culture was 92.8% (219/236). Their average culture times were 9.5 days and 31.5 days, respectively. The coincidence rate of INH、RIF、STR and EMB drug susceptibility test using MGIT960 and L-J culture method was 92.7%, 95.9%, 91.8% and 97.3%, respectively.  Conclusions The sensitivity and specificity of automatic MGIT960 are higher than L-J method. The report time of MGIT960 reduced to 9.5 days. The automatic MGIT960 is ideal for the rapid mycobacterial culture, identification and drug susceptibility test.

Key words: Mycobacterium tuberculosis, microbial senstivity tests, bacteriological techniques