Lowenstein-Jensen Selective Medium for Reducing Contamination in Mycobacterium tuberculosis Culture

Abstract

We compared Mycobacterium tuberculosis sputum culture recovery and contamination rates between Lowenstein-Jensenmedium(LJ)containing the following decontaminants and LJalone:(i)PANTA(n 299),(ii) Selectatab-MB(n 299),and(iii) penicillinG(n 234).ThecontaminationrateforLJalonewasapproximately31%,versus5.0%forPANTA-containing,2%for Selectatab-containing,and9%for penicillin-containing media(P<0.001).M. Tuberculosis isolation rates were9.8%,17%,18%, and12%forstandardLJ,PANTA,Selectatab,and penicillin cultures respectively.