13[C]-urea breath test as a novel point-of-care biomarker for tuberculosis treatment and diagnosis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Pathogen-specific metabolic pathways may be detected by breath tests based on introduction of stable isotopically-labeled substrates and detection of labeled products in exhaled breath using portable infrared spectrometers.

Methodology/principal findings

We tested whether mycobacterial urease activity could be utilized in such a breath test format as the basis of a novel biomarker and diagnostic for pulmonary TB. Sensitized New-Zealand White Rabbits underwent bronchoscopic infection with either Mycobacterium bovis or Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Rabbits were treated with 25 mg/kg of isoniazid (INH) approximately 2 months after infection when significant cavitary lung pathology was present. [(13)C] urea was instilled directly into the lungs of intubated rabbits at s

SUBMITTER: Jassal MS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2929202 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature