Test Price
2,200 AED✅ Home Collection Available
Cultured AFB Second-Line Antitubercular Drug Susceptibility Test (DST) Panel in Dubai | 2200 AED | DHA Certified
Executive Summary & Core Metrics
Accuracy Guarantee: 99.9% diagnostic sensitivity for second-line drug resistance via ISO 9001:2015 accredited automated fluorescent methodology (BACTEC MGIT 960).
Premium Logistics: Home collection of respiratory specimens (sputum) by trained medical personnel, transported under validated cold-chain to our ISO-certified laboratory for pure culture processing.
Clinical Guidance: Complimentary telephonic post-test interpretation by a DHA-licensed general practitioner to discuss therapeutic implications.
Insurance: Direct billing verification via WhatsApp +971 54 548 8731.
Test Overview & Methodology
The Cultured AFB Second-Line Antitubercular DST Panel determines phenotypic resistance to fluoroquinolones, injectable agents, and other second-line drugs used in multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). Results guide personalised treatment regimens under UAE national TB programme protocols.
| Feature | Our Test (DHA Approved) | Closest Alternative |
|---|---|---|
| Precision | Automated Fluorescent MGIT 960 – quantitative MIC interpretation | Conventional LJ proportion method – subjective colony counting |
| Turnaround Time | 21 days from pure culture | 4-6 weeks |
| Drug Panel | 10 second-line drugs (amikacin, kanamycin, capreomycin, ofloxacin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, ethionamide, linezolid, clofazimine, bedaquiline) | Often limited to 5 drugs |
| Accreditation | ISO 9001:2015, DHA-MOHAP aligned | Variable quality systems |
Physician Insight & Safety Protocols
Dr. Ajay Singh | General Practitioner | DHA Registration ID: 36234132: “This test is critical for confirming high-level resistance to core second-line agents, but it must be interpreted alongside the patients clinical history, imaging, and treatment adherence. No single phenotypic result replaces an experienced clinicians judgment. False-susceptible results can occur in mixed infections; always request repeat testing if treatment fails.”
Advisory Precautions
⚠️ Medication Warning
Do not discontinue prescribed antitubercular or any concomitant medication without consulting your treating physician. Abrupt cessation may lead to drug-resistant relapse or life-threatening deterioration.
Exclusion Criteria & Emergency Red Flags
- Pediatric Minors: Home collection for children under 18 must comply with UAE Federal Law No. 2 of 2019 – a legal guardian must provide written informed consent and be present throughout.
- Active Hemoptysis: Clients with coughing up blood greater than 100 mL in 24 hours or severe respiratory distress are excluded from home collection; immediate ER visit is advised.
- Immunocompromised Hosts: Patients on biologic agents or with CD4 count below 200 must coordinate testing through their specialist to avoid misclassification.
- ER Red Flags: Sudden chest pain, high fever with rigors, confusion, or oxygen saturation below 90% require urgent hospital evaluation, not laboratory scheduling.
Patient FAQ & Clinical Guidance
1. What does a rapid second-line DST actually detect?
This test identifies phenotypic resistance to ten crucial second-line antitubercular drugs within a 21-day window. The pure Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolate is exposed to standardized drug concentrations in a liquid culture system, and growth inhibition is measured automatically by fluorescence. A resistant report means the bactericidal concentration needed exceeds therapeutic safety, so that drug cannot be used effectively in your regimen.
2. Can I do this test at home, and is a sputum sample enough?
Our medical team can collect your respiratory specimen at home using strict infection control measures. You will be guided to produce a deep, early-morning sputum sample into a sterile container; the sample is immediately refrigerated and transported in a validated cold chain to the lab. The laboratory will first culture the bacteria and then perform the DST on pure growth. No fasting or special preparation is needed.
3. Why does my doctor need phenotypic DST results instead of genetic testing alone?
Genetic testing detects only known mutations, while phenotypic culture-based testing reveals true resistance with 99.9% accuracy. Some resistance arises from mechanisms not yet discovered, so culture-based DST remains the gold standard for confirming drug efficacy. This analysis helps physicians tailor second-line drug regimens precisely when initial treatment fails.
4. How should I prepare for the sputum collection at home?
Collect the sample first thing in the morning before eating or drinking. Rinse your mouth with water to minimize contamination, then take a deep breath and cough deeply to bring up sputum from your lungs. Spit directly into the sterile container provided. Avoid mixing saliva with the sample. Close the lid tightly and store it in a cool place until our courier arrives.
UAE Regulatory & Data Privacy Adherence
Regulatory Compliance Framework
This service adheres to Federal Decree-Law No. 4 of 2016 on Medical Liability, 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. Home collection is performed by DHA-licensed staff under ISO 9001:2015 quality management. All results are reviewed by a DHA-certified general practitioner prior to release. Patient data is encrypted and processed in compliance with UAE data protection standards.
Clinical & Logistical Metadata
| Test Name | Cultured AFB Second-Line Antitubercular Drug Susceptibility Test (DST) Panel |
| Price (AED) | 2,200 AED |
| Turnaround Time | 21 days from pure culture |
| Sample Type / Matrix | Sputum (Respiratory Specimen) – Home collection available with cold-chain transport; Secure Medical Courier Retrieval for clinical specimens |
| Methodology Used | Automated Fluorescent Mycobacterial Growth Indicator Tube (MGIT 960) – Quantitative MIC Interpretation |
| ICD-10-CM Code | Z16.24, Z16.29 |
| LOINC Code | 60567-6 |
| 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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Available in Arabic, English, Hindi & Urdu
ISMS 27001:2022
ISO Accredited
HIPAA
All reports reviewed by DHA-Certified physicians