Flow cytometric testing of susceptibilities of Mycobacterium avium to amikacin, ciprofloxacin, clarithromycin and rifabutin in 24 hours

Objective To develop a biologically safe flow cytometric susceptibility test that depends on detection and enumeration of actively growing Mycobacterium avium organisms in drug-free and antimycobacterial agent-containing medium. Methods Prior to analysis by flow cytometry, all M. avium susceptibility test samples were inactivated by exposure to paraformaldehyde. The susceptibilities of 20 clinical isolates of M, avium to amikacin, ciprofloxacin, clarithromycin, and rifabutin were tested by the flow cytometric and BACTEC methods. Results Agreement was 97% between the results of the two methods. The results of flow cytometric susceptibility tests were available 24 h after inoculation of drug-containing medium, while the BACTEC method required 4-8 days to complete. Conclusions The flow cytometric assay is sale, simple and reproducible.