Afb Mtb - Linezolid Disk Diffusion Infected Tissue
What is this test?
This test is used to test the sensitivity of the acid-fast bacilli (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) against certain types of antibiotic medicines. This test is useful in adjusting and providing effective treatment for individuals suffering from tuberculosis. This test can also be done to check whether the bacteria has developed any resistance towards the medicine or not.
What is Tuberculosis?
Tuberculosis TB is a bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis MTB. Generally, TB affects the lungs and sometimes it can also affect other organs and parts of the body. MTB is an airborne infection and can spread through the air from one person to another by cough and sneeze. Individuals who are suffering from TB may experience symptoms such as cough which lasts more than 2-3 weeks, cough with blood, chest pain, difficulty in breathing, weight loss, fever, night sweats, etc.
What is Linezolid?
Linezolid is a type of synthetic antibacterial medicine. It belongs to the class oxazolidinone antibiotics. This medicine prevents the growth of bacteria by obstructing the synthesis of essential proteins, without the essential proteins the bacteria would eventually stop growing and die.
What is Disk Diffusion?
This is a type of laboratory procedure used to test the sensitivity of the bacteria towards specific antibiotics and antibiotic combinations. Small paper disks containing different concentrations or combinations of the antibiotic is placed in a Petri dish containing the bacterial culture. The bacteria sensitive towards the antibiotic does not grow around the area surrounding the antibiotic disk.
Why this test is recommended?
This test is performed to check the sensitivity of antibiotics towards tuberculosis bacteria in a tissue sample of an individual. The doctor may ask you to undergo this test if you are suffering from symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, joint pains, long-lasting cough, chest pain, difficulty in breathing, weight loss, fever, abdominal distension, etc.
If you are on treatment for tuberculosis, then the doctor may ask you to perform this test to evaluate and to check the effectiveness of the treatment and to check whether the bacterium has infected other internal organs or has developed resistance to TB drugs such as rifampicin. Mostly, this test is done along with other tests to confirm the diagnosis and to modify the treatments if necessary.
Test Preparation
Inform your doctor if you are on any medications, have any allergies or underlying medical conditions before your Afb Mtb - Linezolid Disk Diffusion Infected Tissue. Your doctor will give specific instructions depending on your condition on how to prepare for Afb Mtb - Linezolid Disk Diffusion Infected Tissue.
No specific preparations required for this test.
Understanding your test results
The test results may be different depending on gender, age, health conditions, and other factors.
Negative test results indicate that the medicine is not effective in treating the infection or the bacteria has developed resistance towards the particular medicine.
Positive test results indicate that the bacteria is sensitive towards the medicine and the medicine is effective in killing the bacteria. Based on the test results your doctor will suggest you the appropriate treatments and dose adjustments.
| Gender | Age groups | Value |
| MALE | All age groups | A result where the drug is sensitive indicates that the patient responds to this antibiotic |
| FEMALE | All age groups | A result where the drug is sensitive indicates that the patient responds to this antibiotic |