Molecular diagnostics in a tuberculous patient with clinical non response to standard treatment

Rapid distinguishing of mycobacterial species and knowledge about their susceptibility is vital for the management of patients with pulmonary disease who are not responding to initial treatment as the mycobacteria have a spectrum of virulence and different susceptibilities to antibiotics. Most biochemical techniques used for species differentiation are laborious and time consuming. Hence molecular techniques are becoming an alternative to existing conventional testing. This study demonstrates the utility of molecular diagnostics for patients with mycobacterial infections who are not responding to initial anti TB therapy.