Test Price
650 AED✅ Home Collection Available
Mycobacterium tuberculosis (AFB) Culture and Rifabutin Drug Susceptibility Testing (DST) in Dubai | 650 AED | DNA Labs UAE
Executive Summary & Core Metrics
- Diagnostic Accuracy: 99.9% sensitivity using automated MGIT 960 fluorometric system with digital susceptibility readout.
- ISO Certified Laboratory: Accredited under ISO 9001:2015 (certificate INT/EGQ/2509DA/3139) for mycobacterial culture and DST.
- Turnaround Time: 21 days from culture initiation to final DST report, with real‑time email and electronic health record alerts.
- Direct Cost: 650 AED (inclusive of culture and DST). Direct insurance billing available; verify coverage via WhatsApp +971 54 548 8731.
- Clinical Utility: Definitive susceptibility profile for rifabutin, guiding tailored anti‑tuberculosis therapy.
Test Overview & Methodology
The rifabutin drug susceptibility test determines whether Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex bacteria are sensitive, intermediate, or resistant to the second‑line anti‑TB agent rifabutin. This result is critical for constructing a resistance‑proof regimen, especially in patients with prior drug exposure or confirmed multidrug‑resistant TB. The test is performed exclusively on pure bacterial isolates obtained from prior liquid or solid AFB culture, ensuring that the drug response is measured from viable, uncontaminated organisms.
| Feature | DNA Labs UAE Rifabutin DST | Standard Hospital Lab |
|---|---|---|
| Precision | Automated fluorometric system (MGIT 960) with digital MIC interpretation – 99.9% sensitivity | Manual proportion method on solid media; higher interpretive variability |
| Methodology | Liquid‑broth fluorometric system per CLSI M24‑A2, supplemented with molecular resistance marker confirmation | Solid‑media (Löwenstein‑Jensen) proportion method; delayed critical concentration read |
| Speed & Logistics | Daily specimen pickup until 3:30 PM; culture in 2–4 weeks, DST report in 21 total days with real‑time email/PACS alert | Batch‑wise processing; reports often exceed 28 days with limited electronic notification |
| Price | 650 AED (insurance‑covered, direct billing) | Often quoted 800–1,200 AED as an add‑on test |
Physician Insight & Safety Protocols
🩺 A Note from Dr. Ajay Singh, General Practitioner (DHA License 36234132)
“Rifabutin DST from pure culture is the cornerstone of precision tuberculosis care, especially in complex cases with previous drug exposure. I always recommend correlating the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) with the patient’s clinical and radiographic evolution. This result must be interpreted by a DHA‑licensed specialist before any treatment modification.”
⚠️ Medication Safety Advisory
Do not discontinue your prescribed anti‑tuberculosis therapy or adjust rifabutin dosage based solely on this laboratory report. Always consult your treating physician before making any changes.
Clinical Exclusion Criteria
- No pure, viable M. tuberculosis isolate available (contaminated or non‑viable growth).
- Patients already on effective bactericidal therapy may yield insufficient growth for DST.
- This test cannot be directly performed on whole blood, sputum, or tissue; it requires a laboratory‑isolated colony from a prior AFB culture.
🚨 Emergency Red Flags: If you experience sudden worsening of cough with blood‑streaked sputum, severe chest pain, or acute shortness of breath, do not wait for results – seek immediate emergency care.
Patient FAQ & Clinical Guidance
1. What does the rifabutin DST result tell my doctor?
It reveals whether the tuberculosis bacteria are susceptible, intermediate, or resistant to rifabutin, guiding the selection of an effective combination anti‑TB regimen.
2. How is the sample collected, and can I do it at home?
The DST itself is performed on a pure bacterial isolate that has already been grown in the laboratory from your initial respiratory specimen (sputum, BAL, or blood). For the initial culture sample, you may provide a sputum or blood specimen at any DNA Labs UAE facility. Mobile phlebotomy is not available for this test as the isolate must be retrieved from an existing culture; we offer secure medical courier retrieval of the pure isolate if needed.
3. Why does the report take 21 days?
Slow‑growing mycobacteria require 3–4 weeks to reach sufficient metabolic activity for accurate drug susceptibility assessment using the automated fluorometric system.
UAE Regulatory & Data Privacy Adherence
Data Protection & Health Information Governance
All laboratory processes, data storage, and reporting conform to Federal Decree-Law No. 45 of 2021 on Personal Data Protection (PDPL) and Federal Law No. 2 of 2019 Concerning the Use of Information and Communication Technology in Health Fields. Patient health information is encrypted, access‑controlled, and never shared without explicit consent. Clinical safety and patient consent adhere to Federal Decree-Law No. 4 of 2016 on Medical Liability.
Clinical & Logistical Metadata
| Test Name | Mycobacterium tuberculosis (AFB) Culture and Rifabutin Drug Susceptibility Testing (DST) |
| Price (AED) | 650 AED |
| Turnaround Time | 21 days from culture initiation to final DST report |
| Sample Type / Matrix | Pure bacterial isolate from prior AFB culture; initial respiratory specimen (sputum, BAL, or blood) required for culture |
| Methodology Used | Liquid‑broth fluorometric system (MGIT 960) per CLSI M24‑A2; molecular resistance marker backup |
| ICD-10-CM Code | A15.0 (Tuberculosis of lung) |
| LOINC Code | 20866-9 (Mycobacterium tuberculosis susceptibility panel) |
| DHA Facility License & Laboratory Address | License No. 1143 | DNA Labs UAE, Premises 105, Floor 1, Building 33, Dubai Healthcare City, Dubai, UAE |
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