Mycobacterium Tuberculosis (TB) Testing

The Mycobacteriology Laboratory at National Jewish Health provides an all-embracing menu of mycobacteria analyses including accurate identification of mycobacteria causing diseases in humans and animals, in addition to extensive antibiotic sensitivity testing. Using a combination of conventional and molecular biology-based methods, the Mycobacteriology Laboratory has identified thirty-five discreet mycobacterial species previously not known to cause pathology in humans.

Testing Methods

Rapid methods of mycobacterial species identification and drug susceptibility testing are used to assure timely detection of drug-resistant tuberculosis cases.

• Smear examination results are reported within twenty-four hours,
• Detection and identification of M. tuberculosis within two weeks for 80% of specimens,
• Drug-susceptibility test results within three weeks for 75% of specimens submitted.

Other methods include: Primary culture on four types of media; Direct susceptibility testing from smear-positive specimens; Testing against first and second line drugs for M. tuberculosis; Identification of M. tuberculosis complex and individual species of this complex; Quantitative blood cultures for M. avium complex; Minimum Inhibitory Concentration analysis for a wide variety of drugs for M. avium complex and other non-tuberculosis mycobacteria (NTM); Susceptibility of so-called rapidly growing mycobacteria against a large number of drugs using the micro titer plate technique; and testing of any mycobacteria against new drugs and their combinations.

The Laboratory is open seven days a week to assure the timeliness of these analyses.
For questions about testing, please call 303-398-1339