In 1990, the Centers for Disease Control reported a reversal in the previously reported decrease in the incidence of infections caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis . M. tuberculosis is transmitted by inhalation of infected droplet nuclei. This disease has increased over the last decade and is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. Accurate, timely diagnosis is essential in halting the current tuberculosis epidemic. These organisms are usually resistant to INH, but respond to rifabutin and macrolides.
Accurate identification is essential to successful therapeutic outcome.
It is less responsive to traditional anti- tuberculosis therapy. The examination of direct smears for mycobacteria is important for several reasons. Microscopic examination can also be used to monitor the progress of patients receiving chemotherapy. Finally, it is imperative to detect the likely presence of mycobacterial disease as rapidly as possible because these patients are considered infectious reservoirs who are most likely to spread tuberculosis. While rapid methods for the laboratory diagnosis of tuberculosis are available, the other species must be cultured.