Test Price
600 AED✅ Home Collection Available
Cultured AFB Antitubercular Drug Susceptibility Testing (DST) — Amikacin in UAE | 600 AED | 2026 DHA Guidelines
تحليل حساسية المتفطرة السلية لعقار الأميكاسين (الزرعي) في الإمارات | 600 درهم | إرشادات هيئة الصحة بدبي 2026
Executive Summary — 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 (MGIT/BACTEC 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.
يوفر هذا التحليل المتقدم تقييماً كمياً دقيقاً لحساسية بكتيريا المتفطرة السلية تجاه عقار الأميكاسين باستخدام تقنية الكشف الفلوري الآلي المعتمدة دولياً. نضمن دقة تشخيصية بنسبة 99.9% من خلال مختبراتنا الحاصلة على شهادة الآيزو 9001:2015، مع خدمة سحب منزلي متميزة واستشارة طبية هاتفية بعد صدور النتائج لتفسيرها سريرياً.
Clinical Overview
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 |
Pre-Analytical Specimen Requirements & Logistics
- Specimen Type: Pure growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex on appropriate solid/liquid media (Löwenstein-Jensen, Middlebrook 7H11, or MGIT tube).
- Container: Sterile screw-capped container placed inside a sealed, leak-proof plastic biohazard bag.
- Transport Temperature: Ship refrigerated (2–8°C) via cold-chain courier. For integrated workflows, pure growth obtained in our laboratory from previously submitted specimens is automatically processed for DST.
- Collection Window: Sample accepted daily until 3:30 PM for same-day accessioning.
- Patient Preparation: No special patient preparation required. This DST is performed on the cultured isolate; the initial AFB specimen (sputum, BAL, tissue) must have been collected previously per standard mycobacteriology protocols.
Physician Insight & Safety Protocol
Dr. Prabhakar Reddy (DHA License: 61713011, Consultant Pathologist & Mycobacteriology Lead):
"As a clinician who has managed hundreds of MDR-TB cases across the Emirates, I understand that the 21-day wait for phenotypic DST results can be unsettling—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 18 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).
UAE Regulatory & Data Privacy Compliance
This laboratory service operates in full compliance with Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2024 (Art. 87) regarding clinical laboratory licensure and quality standards, the UAE Communicable Disease Surveillance (CDS) Law 2026 for TB notification and minor protection protocols, and the UAE Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL) governing patient data confidentiality. 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.
Patient FAQ & Clinical Guidance
Q1: 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.
س1: ما هو تحليل حساسية المتفطرة السلية لعقار الأميكاسين ولماذا طلبه طبيبي؟
الملخص: يحدد هذا التحليل المخبري المتقدم ما إذا كانت بكتيريا السل لديك حساسة أم مقاومة ظاهرياً للمضاد الحيوي القابل للحقن أميكاسين، وهو دواء أساسي مخصص لعلاج السل المقاوم للأدوية المتعددة. طلب طبيبك هذا التحليل للتأكد من فعالية الأميكاسين ضد سلالة المتفطرة السلية الخاصة بك قبل الالتزام بمسار علاجي طويل الأمد من الحقن اليومية قد يمتد من 6 إلى 8 أشهر.
Q2: How is the sample collected and what preparation is required before the test?
Snippet: A pure culture isolate of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex must be submitted in a sterile screw-capped container under refrigerated cold-chain transport conditions to preserve bacterial viability for accurate susceptibility testing. The DST itself does not require any direct patient preparation because it is performed on bacteria already cultured in the laboratory—either from your previously submitted sputum, bronchoalveolar lavage, or tissue biopsy specimen. If you are providing a fresh specimen for initial AFB culture, you may be asked to collect an early-morning sputum sample after rinsing your mouth with water (not mouthwash) to reduce oral flora contamination.
س2: كيف يتم جمع العينة وما هي التحضيرات المطلوبة قبل إجراء التحليل؟
الملخص: يجب تقديم عزلة نقية من بكتيريا المتفطرة السلية في حاوية معقمة محكمة الإغلاق تحت ظروف النقل المبردة بسلسلة التبريد للحفاظ على حيوية البكتيريا لضمان دقة اختبار الحساسية. لا يتطلب اختبار الحساسية الدوائية نفسه أي تحضير مباشر من المريض لأنه يُجرى على البكتيريا المزروعة مسبقاً في المختبر.
Q3: 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.
س3: كم تستغرق النتائج وماذا تعني لخطة علاج السل المقاوم لدي؟
الملخص: تصدر نتائج اختبار الحساسية الظاهرية النهائية خلال 21 يوماً من تاريخ استلام العزلة البكتيرية النقية، حيث تؤكد حساسية الأميكاسين إمكانية إدراج الدواء بثقة في نظام علاج السل المقاوم للأدوية المتعددة الخاص بك. إذا أظهر التقرير مقاومة، فسيقوم استشاري الأمراض المعدية باستبدال الدواء ببديل مناسب على الفور.
Home Collection Service
Hospital-grade VIP mobile phlebotomy available daily from 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM across all Emirates. ISO-certified cold-chain logistics for specimen integrity.
Insurance & Billing
Direct billing verification via WhatsApp. Send your Emirates ID and insurance card image to +971 54 548 8731 for instant coverage confirmation.
Post- Clinical Guidance
Complimentary telephonic result interpretation with our clinical team. DHA-licensed consultants available to coordinate with your treating physician.
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