ISSN: 0973-7510
E-ISSN: 2581-690X
The reliability of nitrate reduction assay (NRA) as a growth indicator of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis was evaluated as rapid antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST). Seventy two isolates were examined to critical concentration of Isoniazid (INH), Streptomycin (STR), Rifampin (RMP), and Ethambutol (EMB). The results of NRA were compared to the results obtained by radiometric method (BACTEC 460), which served as reference method. According to our results, NRA method can be used as reliable, rapid, free radioactive waste, and inexpensive method for testing the susceptibility of M. tuberculosis isolates to mentioned antibiotics. Compatibility values between NRA and BACTEC reference method for Isoniazid, Rifampicin, Ethambutol and Streptomycin were 98.6%, 97.2%, 98.6%, and 100% respectively. 94.4% of NRA results agreed with those obtained by BACTEC 460.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Antimicrobial susceptibility testing, Nitrate reduction, BACTEC 460. NRA, AST
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