Model-Based Relationship between the Molecular Bacterial Load Assay and Time to Positivity in Liquid Culture.

ABSTRACT: The molecular bacterial load (MBL) assay is a new tuberculosis biomarker which provides results in ∼4 hours. The relationship between MBL and time-to-positivity (TTP) has not been thoroughly studied, and predictive models do not exist. We aimed to develop a model for MBL and identify the MBL-TTP relationship in patients. The model was developed on data from 105 tuberculosis patients from Malawi, Mozambique, and Tanzania with joint MBL and TTP observations quantified from patient sputum collected for 12 weeks. MBL was quantified using PCR of mycobacterial RNA and TTP using the mycobacterial growth indicator tube (MGIT) 960 system. Treatment consisted of isoniazid, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol in standard doses together with rifampin 10 or 35 mg/kg of body weight. The developed MBL-TTP model

SUBMITTER: Svensson RJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6761543 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature