Test Price
600 AED✅ Home Collection Available
Cultured AFB Antitubercular Drug Susceptibility Testing (DST) — Amikacin | 600 AED | Dubai Healthcare City
Executive Summary & Core Metrics
Gold Standard Phenotypic DST for MDR-TB Management
This definitive culture-based assay delivers quantitative Amikacin susceptibility profiles for Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex isolates using the automated fluorescent detection platform (BACTEC MGIT 960). With 99.9% diagnostic sensitivity under ISO 9001:2015 accredited protocols, our laboratory provides the UAE's most reliable phenotypic DST service—critical for guiding Category IV MDR-TB regimens where aminoglycoside efficacy must be confirmed before prolonged parenteral therapy. The test is performed on a pure culture isolate obtained from a previously collected hospital specimen; mobile home phlebotomy is not applicable for this assay.
Test Overview & Methodology
The Cultured AFB Antitubercular DST — Amikacin is a definitive phenotypic susceptibility assay performed on a pure Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex isolate to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of Amikacin, a critical injectable aminoglycoside reserved for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) regimens. Unlike rapid molecular tests that screen only for known resistance-conferring mutations, this culture-based method detects all resistance mechanisms—including novel or emerging variants—making it the WHO-endorsed reference standard for guiding individualized Category IV therapy in the UAE.
| Feature | Our Test: Cultured Phenotypic DST (MGIT 960) | Closest Alternative: Molecular Genotypic DST (Xpert MTB/XDR / LPA) |
|---|---|---|
| Methodology | Automated Fluorescent Detection — quantitative MIC determination in liquid culture (BACTEC MGIT 960) | Nucleic acid amplification; detects predefined resistance-associated mutations (e.g., rrs gene) |
| Resistance Coverage | Comprehensive — detects all resistance phenotypes including novel/uncharacterized mechanisms | Limited to known mutations; may miss emerging resistance or silent/heteroresistant populations |
| Clinical Utility | Gold Standard for MDR-TB regimen design; quantitative MIC guides dose optimization | Rapid screening tool; useful for initial MDR-TB suspicion but requires phenotypic confirmation |
| Turnaround Time | 21 days from pure culture receipt (sample accepted daily by 3:30 PM) | 24–48 hours from processed specimen |
| Regulatory Standing | WHO Endorsed | DHA/MOHAP Compliant | ISO 9001:2015 Certified | WHO Recommended (screening) | CE-IVD Marked |
Physician Insight & Safety Protocols
Dr. Ajay Singh (DHA License: 36234132, General Practitioner):
"As a physician managing tuberculosis cases across the Emirates, I appreciate that the 21-day wait for phenotypic DST results can be anxiety-provoking—yet this culture-based method remains irreplaceable because it reveals the full resistance landscape of your isolate, not just the mutations we already know about. Every DST report we issue carries the weight of a treatment decision that may span months of injectable therapy, so we never compromise on precision. Please use this time to maintain rigorous infection control at home and stay in close contact with your pulmonologist; we are available to discuss preliminary findings with your treating physician at any stage."
Critical Medication Advisory
Do not discontinue, modify, or interrupt any prescribed antitubercular medication—including Amikacin injections—without direct consultation with your treating physician. Abrupt cessation of MDR-TB therapy can precipitate clinical deterioration, bacillary regrowth, and amplification of drug resistance, potentially limiting future treatment options.
Exclusion Criteria & Emergency Red Flags
Exclusion Criteria (Test May Be Affected):
- Non-viable or contaminated culture isolate (heavy bacterial/fungal overgrowth precludes reliable DST).
- Insufficient mycobacterial biomass for inoculum preparation (poorly growing or scant cultures).
- Isolate not confirmed as M. tuberculosis complex by speciation (NTM isolates require separate DST protocols).
- Specimen received in formalin, alcohol, or other fixatives (non-viable organisms).
ER Red Flags — Seek Immediate Medical Attention:
- Massive hemoptysis (>50 mL fresh blood in 24 hours).
- Acute-onset severe dyspnea or stridor at rest.
- High-grade fever (>39°C) with rigors and systemic toxicity unresponsive to antipyretics.
- Altered mental status, neck stiffness, or seizure (possible meningeal/disseminated TB).
- Sudden pleuritic chest pain with tachycardia (possible pneumothorax or pulmonary embolism).
Patient FAQ & Clinical Guidance
1. What is the Cultured AFB Antitubercular DST — Amikacin test and why has my doctor ordered it?
Snippet: This advanced culture-based assay determines whether your tuberculosis bacteria are phenotypically susceptible or resistant to the injectable antibiotic Amikacin, a cornerstone drug reserved for multidrug-resistant TB treatment regimens. Your physician has ordered this test to confirm that Amikacin will be effective against your specific M. tuberculosis strain before committing you to a prolonged course of daily injections that may last 6–8 months. Because Amikacin can cause ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity with extended use, confirming susceptibility upfront ensures you are not exposed to a potentially toxic drug that would provide no clinical benefit.
2. How is the sample collected and what preparation is required before the test?
Snippet: This test is performed on a pure culture isolate of Mycobacterium tuberculosis that has already been grown in the laboratory from a specimen you previously provided (such as sputum, bronchoalveolar lavage, or tissue biopsy). The DST itself does not require any direct patient preparation because the bacteria are already cultured. The initial specimen collection for mycobacterial culture is performed at a hospital or accredited healthcare facility; home phlebotomy is not available for this test. Once the culture isolate is obtained, it is transported to our laboratory under refrigerated cold-chain conditions via secure medical courier.
3. How long do results take and what do they mean for my MDR-TB treatment plan?
Snippet: Final phenotypic DST results are reported within 21 days from the date a pure culture isolate is received, with Amikacin susceptibility indicating the drug can be confidently included in your individualized MDR-TB regimen. If the report shows resistance, your infectious disease consultant will promptly substitute an alternative agent—such as Capreomycin or a newer bedaquiline-based combination—ensuring your treatment remains effective without unnecessary exposure to an ineffective and potentially toxic injectable. A borderline or intermediate MIC result may prompt dose adjustment discussions between your physician and our clinical microbiology team to optimize pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic targets.
UAE Regulatory & Data Privacy Adherence
This laboratory service operates in full compliance with Federal Decree-Law No. 45 of 2021 on Personal Data Protection (PDPL), Federal Law No. 2 of 2019 Concerning the Use of Information and Communication Technology in Health Fields, and Federal Decree-Law No. 4 of 2016 on Medical Liability. All patient-identifiable information is processed through encrypted, DHA-audited laboratory information systems. Cultured isolates are handled under BSL-3 containment per MOHAP biosafety mandates. The laboratory is licensed by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) under facility license number 1143.
Clinical & Logistical Metadata
| Test Name | Cultured AFB Antitubercular Drug Susceptibility Testing (DST) — Amikacin |
| Price (AED) | 600 AED (all-inclusive; insurance verification via WhatsApp) |
| Turnaround Time | 21 days from receipt of pure culture isolate |
| Sample Type / Matrix | Pure growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex on solid or liquid media. Hospital Extraction Only – Sample collection is conducted strictly within an accredited hospital facility; mobile home phlebotomy is disabled for safety. |
| Methodology Used | Automated Fluorescent Detection (BACTEC MGIT 960) — quantitative MIC determination |
| ICD-10-CM Code | Z16.21 (Resistance to aminoglycosides) |
| LOINC Code | 20454-0 (Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex susceptibility by Minimum inhibitory concentration [MIC] to Amikacin) |
| DHA Facility License & Laboratory Address | DHA License: 1143 | Premises 105, Floor 1, Building 33, Dubai Healthcare City, Dubai, UAE |
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