DNA probing Mtb
Utility of DNA Probing for Early Identification of M. tuberculosis (M.tb) as a Means for Cost
Minimization for Isolation Precautions.
A. PHILLIPS*, J. DOWNEY, J.BURT, H. SIMPSON,
B. MARSHALL, J. BRUNTON, J. CONLY.
Dept. of Microbiology, The Toronto Hospital,
Toronto, Canada.
The use of DNA probing for the different for the differentiation of M.tb from mycobacteria other
than tuberculosis (MOTT) leads to earlier treatment and optimal use of isolation. The costs for
isolation in our hospital for patients with acidfast bacilli in their sputum is as follows:
| ITEM |
COST($) |
COST/DAY($) |
COST FOR 5d($) |
| Single room |
175 |
175 |
875 |
| Garbage bags |
0.12/bag |
0.24 |
1.20 |
| Isolation gowns |
0.37/lb |
6.00 |
30 |
| Procedure mask |
6.77/box |
6.77 |
33.85 |
A 14 mo. and 60 mo. epidemiologic survey of M.tb and MOTT in our hospital revealed that
37/188 (19.6%) submitted specimens/month were AFB+. There were a mean of 5 new M.tb and
12 MOTT isolates/month. With a ratio of pulmonary: non-pulmonary isolates of 2:1 and a
prevalence survey revealing 4-6 in-patients requiring isolation in any given month, and operating
costs of $2,048/annum for probing vs $2,132/annum for conventional identification (NAP) the
cost saving for isolation for a 5d lead time for identification of M.tb range from $45-68,000/annum. We conclude that the use of DNA probing may substantially reduce isolation
costs for pulmonary AFB disease.
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