Test Price
650 AED✅ Home Collection Available
Cultured AFB Antitubercular Drug Susceptibility Testing — Ethionamide (DST) in UAE | 650 AED | DHA Licensed
Executive Summary & Core Metrics
This DHA-licensed laboratory assay provides definitive phenotypic determination of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex susceptibility to ethionamide, a critical second-line agent in multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) regimens. The test employs automated fluorescent detection technology (BACTEC MGIT 960 SIRE DST protocol) within an ISO 9001:2015-accredited facility, delivering quantitative minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) results within 21 days. All testing is performed on pure culture isolates under strictly controlled biosafety conditions, with results reviewed and clinically contextualized by DHA-licensed medical professionals.
Test Overview & Methodology
The Cultured AFB Antitubercular Drug Susceptibility Testing for Ethionamide (DST) is a definitive phenotypic assay that determines whether a patient's Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex isolate is susceptible or resistant to ethionamide — a critical second-line agent in multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) regimens. This ISO 9001:2015-accredited test leverages automated fluorescent detection technology (BACTEC MGIT 960) to deliver quantitative susceptibility results within 21 days, enabling clinicians to tailor effective, resistance-guided anti-TB therapy. The primary methodology employs liquid-culture-based fluorometric detection of oxygen consumption by viable mycobacteria in the presence of ethionamide at critical concentrations, delivering quantitative MIC-based susceptibility interpretation. This phenotypic approach is complemented by molecular resistance testing per WHO consolidated guidelines for MDR-TB diagnostics.
| Parameter | Our Test — Automated Fluorescent (MGIT 960) | Conventional Proportion Method (LJ Media) |
|---|---|---|
| Diagnostic Precision | 99.9% Sensitivity; Quantitative MIC determination | ~95% Sensitivity; Semi-quantitative interpretation |
| Methodology | Automated Fluorescent Detection (BACTEC MGIT 960 SIRE DST) | Manual Proportion Method on Löwenstein-Jensen solid media |
| Turnaround Time | 21 Days | 28–42 Days |
Physician Insight & Safety Protocols
A Note from Dr. Ajay Singh, DHA-Licensed General Practitioner (DHA Registration ID: 36234132)
"As a General Practitioner managing patients with suspected tuberculosis in the UAE, I rely on ethionamide drug susceptibility testing to ensure that second-line treatment regimens are precisely tailored to each patient's mycobacterial strain. This phenotypic assay, when interpreted alongside clinical findings and molecular markers, provides the definitive evidence needed to confirm or adjust MDR-TB therapy. I remind both patients and colleagues that DST results guide but do not replace comprehensive clinical monitoring for drug efficacy and adverse effects throughout the treatment course."
Medication Safety Advisory
Do not discontinue any prescribed antitubercular medication — including ethionamide, isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide, or ethambutol — without explicit consultation with your treating physician. Abrupt cessation of anti-TB therapy can precipitate drug resistance, treatment failure, and life-threatening clinical deterioration. Always complete the full prescribed course and report any adverse effects promptly to your healthcare provider.
Exclusion Criteria & Emergency Red Flags
Sample Rejection Criteria:
- Non-viable or contaminated mycobacterial cultures
- Insufficient pure growth for inoculum preparation
- Specimens submitted in non-sterile, unsealed containers
- Isolates not confirmed as M. tuberculosis complex by prior identification testing
- Broken cold chain during transport (temperature deviation beyond 2–8°C for over 4 hours)
Patient ER Red Flags — Seek Immediate Medical Attention:
- Hemoptysis (coughing up blood) exceeding 30 mL in 24 hours
- Acute-onset pleuritic chest pain with dyspnea
- Sudden visual disturbance or blurred vision (possible ethionamide optic neuropathy)
- Jaundice, dark urine, or right upper quadrant pain (hepatotoxicity warning)
- Confusion, seizures, or severe peripheral neuropathy
Patient FAQ & Clinical Guidance
1. What is the Ethionamide DST test and why has my doctor ordered it?
The Ethionamide Drug Susceptibility Test determines whether your tuberculosis bacteria are effectively killed by ethionamide — a critical second-line antibiotic reserved for multidrug-resistant TB treatment — thereby guiding your physician toward a precisely targeted, resistance-informed therapeutic regimen. Ethionamide is a cornerstone agent in MDR-TB protocols. Without susceptibility confirmation, there is a significant clinical risk of prescribing an ineffective drug, which can prolong infectivity, worsen lung damage, and promote further resistance.
2. How long does it take to receive the ethionamide DST results and what do "Sensitive" and "Resistant" mean?
Results are reported within 21 calendar days from the date of pure culture receipt. "Sensitive" indicates ethionamide effectively kills your TB bacteria at standard dosing, while "Resistant" means the drug is clinically ineffective and alternative agents must be substituted. The 21-day window reflects the biological growth rate of M. tuberculosis — one of the slowest-growing human pathogens — and cannot be accelerated without compromising accuracy. An "Intermediate" result may occasionally be reported, indicating partial susceptibility that requires dose adjustment or combination therapy optimization under specialist guidance.
3. Do I need to stop taking my current tuberculosis medications before undergoing this DST?
No — you must continue all prescribed anti-TB medications without interruption. This test is performed on a laboratory-cultured isolate, and your adherence to therapy has absolutely no impact on the technical accuracy of the susceptibility result. Stopping medications prematurely — even for a few days — can trigger bacterial regrowth, worsen clinical symptoms, and increase the risk of developing additional drug resistance. The sample for this DST is either a pure culture already growing in the laboratory or a fresh specimen processed independently.
4. What happens if my result shows resistance to ethionamide?
If ethionamide resistance is detected, your treating physician will substitute an alternative second-line agent based on the full resistance profile of your bacterial isolate. Additional drug susceptibility testing for other MDR-TB agents may be required to construct an effective combination regimen. Your doctor will also consider molecular resistance markers and prior treatment history to optimize the new therapeutic plan. Close monitoring for clinical response and adverse effects is essential throughout this process.
UAE Regulatory & Data Privacy Adherence
This laboratory service is fully compliant with Federal Decree-Law No. 45 of 2021 on Personal Data Protection (PDPL) governing patient data privacy, Federal Law No. 2 of 2019 Concerning the Use of Information and Communication Technology in Health Fields for digital health data management, and Federal Decree-Law No. 4 of 2016 on Medical Liability for clinical testing safety and patient consent protocols. Our facility operates under DHA Facility License No. 1143 at Premises 105, Floor 1, Building 33, Dubai Healthcare City, Dubai, UAE, and adheres to stringent ISO 9001:2015 quality management standards. All testing personnel are DHA-licensed and participate in mandated proficiency testing programs to ensure diagnostic accuracy and patient safety.
Clinical & Logistical Metadata
| Test Name | Cultured AFB Antitubercular Drug Susceptibility Testing — Ethionamide (DST) |
| Price (AED) | 650 AED |
| Turnaround Time | 21 Calendar Days |
| Sample Type / Matrix | Pure Bacterial Isolates (M. tuberculosis complex culture) — Secure Medical Courier Solid Tissue Specimen Retrieval |
| Methodology Used | Automated Fluorescent Detection (BACTEC MGIT 960 SIRE DST Protocol) |
| ICD-10-CM Code | Z16.342, A15.0, Z11.1 |
| LOINC Code | 50416-1 |
| DHA Facility License & Address | License No. 1143 — Premises 105, Floor 1, Building 33, Dubai Healthcare City, Dubai, UAE | DNA Labs UAE |
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