Abstract: Objective To develop a rapid method for determining rifampicin susceptibility of Mycobacterium tuberculosis by luminescence based on Polaroid T677 film.Methods The recombinant mycobacteriophage which can express luciferase during it propagated in related bacteria was used to detect the vitality of M.tuberculosis in liquid medium containing rifampicin and luminescence was recorded by an Polaroid T677 film.The susceptibility of 43 strains of tuberculosis mycobacterium to rifampicin was determined by luminescent photography of Polaroid T 677 film.Results Compared with method of L-J slant,the sensitivity and specificity of bioluminescent photography were 95.7% and 90% respectively.The optimal bacteria concentration for luminescence detection was 10⁷～10⁸ CFU/ml bacteria;the optimal reaction time for rifampicin reaction was 48 hours;and the optimal rifampicin concentration for drug susceptibility test is 1mg/ml.The detection time was within 72 hours and can be detected by naked eyes.Conclusion Luminescent photography assay was a rapid,simple,sensitive and selective method for detection rifampicin susceptibility of Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains.

Key words: Luminescence photography, M.tuberculosis, Rifampicin