MTB First Line Drug Sensitivity SIREP (Pure Culture) Test: Booking, Price, and Results
About MTB First Line Drug Sensitivity SIREP (Pure Culture) Test: Booking, Price, and Results
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Also Known As | TB Sensitivity 1st Line SIREP, TB Drug Sensitivity Test (First Line), MTB DST First Line, Tuberculosis Sensitivity SIREP, AFB Drug Susceptibility Test (First Line Drugs) |
| Sample Type | Pure culture of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (ascitic fluid in sterile container) |
| Fasting Required | No fasting required |
| Report Time | 29 days |
| Recommended For | All genders and ages; patients with confirmed or suspected TB, treatment failure, or contact with drug-resistant TB cases |
| Price | Starting at ₹6,300 |
What is a MTB First Line Drug Sensitivity SIREP (Pure Culture) Test?
The MTB First Line Drug Sensitivity SIREP test checks whether the tuberculosis (TB) bacteria in a patient's body can be killed by the standard first-line medicines used to treat TB. It is also known as the TB Drug Sensitivity Test (First Line) or AFB Drug Susceptibility Test (First Line Drugs). Doctors order this test when they suspect the bacteria may have become resistant to one or more TB medicines. The sample used is a pure, actively growing culture of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, not a fresh patient sample.
What Does a MTB First Line Drug Sensitivity SIREP (Pure Culture) Test Measure?
This test evaluates how the TB bacteria respond to five key first-line anti-TB drugs. Each drug is tested separately to see whether it can stop bacterial growth. The results guide doctors in selecting the right treatment plan.
The five drugs tested are listed below:
| Drug | Role |
|---|---|
| Streptomycin (S) | An injectable antibiotic that targets TB bacteria growing outside cells |
| Isoniazid (INH/H) | One of the most effective first-line medicines; kills actively dividing TB bacteria |
| Rifampicin (RIF/R) | A key drug in TB treatment; helps prevent the bacteria from developing resistance |
| Ethambutol (E) | Stops bacterial growth (bacteriostatic); helps protect other drugs from losing effectiveness |
| Pyrazinamide (PZA/Z) | Targets TB bacteria hiding inside cells in acidic environments; important for detecting MDR-TB |
Why is a MTB First Line Drug Sensitivity SIREP (Pure Culture) Test Done?
This test is ordered in specific situations where standard TB treatment may not be working or where drug resistance is a concern. The results help doctors adjust the treatment plan early.
Common Symptoms That May Require This Test
The following symptoms may prompt a doctor to investigate TB and consider drug sensitivity testing:
- Persistent cough lasting more than two to three weeks
- Unexplained weight loss
- Fever, particularly low-grade and ongoing
- Night sweats
- Chest pain
- Coughing up blood (haemoptysis)
- Difficulty breathing
Conditions This Test Can Help Detect
This test helps identify the following conditions:
- Drug-resistant TB, where the bacteria no longer respond to at least one first-line medicine
- Multi-drug resistant TB (MDR-TB), meaning resistance to both isoniazid and rifampicin
- Extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB), involving resistance to additional second-line drugs
- Acquired resistance that develops during the course of TB treatment
MTB First Line Drug Sensitivity SIREP (Pure Culture) Test for Chronic Disease Monitoring
For patients already on TB treatment, this test may be repeated if treatment is not producing the expected results or if there is a relapse. It checks whether the bacteria have developed resistance over the course of therapy. Early detection of resistance allows doctors to adjust the regimen and improve the chances of recovery.
How to Prepare and What to Expect
No special preparation is needed for this test. The sample used is a laboratory-grown TB culture, not collected directly from the patient during the test visit.
Do You Need to Fast?
No fasting is required for this test. There are no dietary restrictions before or after the sample is submitted.
Practical Tips Before Your Test
Keep the following points in mind before submitting a sample for this test:
- Bring a detailed clinical history, including your symptoms, previous TB test results, treatment records, and any other relevant medical documents, as this is required for the test.
- Inform your doctor about all medications you are currently taking and any underlying medical conditions.
- The culture submitted must be a pure, actively growing isolate of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Mixed cultures are not acceptable and may delay results.
- This test is performed on a culture already confirmed positive for TB, not on a fresh patient sample unless specifically requested.
Step-by-Step Procedure
The following steps describe how this test is carried out:
- A pure, actively growing culture of Mycobacterium tuberculosis is obtained from a previously confirmed positive TB culture.
- The culture is placed in a sterile container and stored at 2°C to 8°C for safe transport to the laboratory.
- In the laboratory, the culture is inoculated into two types of media: one containing the drug at a specified critical concentration, and one without the drug (as a control).
- Using an automated fluorescent liquid culture system, the bacteria are monitored for growth in the presence of each drug.
- Bacterial growth in the drug-containing media is compared to the control media to determine whether the bacteria are sensitive or resistant to each drug.
- Results are reviewed and reported, typically within 29 days.
Factors That Can Affect Accuracy
Certain factors can influence the reliability of results:
- Submitting a mixed culture instead of a pure isolate may delay or affect results.
- Improper storage or transport of the culture sample may alter the sample.
- The critical concentration for some drugs is close to the minimum needed to inhibit growth, which can sometimes affect reproducibility.
- HIV-positive status may make supporting diagnostic tests less reliable, making this test even more important in such cases.
- Resistance to some drugs, such as pyrazinamide and ethambutol, may develop during the turnaround period for the test.
Understanding Your MTB First Line Drug Sensitivity SIREP (Pure Culture) Test Results
Results for each of the five drugs are reported as either "Sensitive" or "Resistant." These findings should always be reviewed with a TB specialist alongside the patient's full clinical history and treatment background.
| Drug | Result | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Streptomycin | Sensitive | The drug can effectively kill the TB bacteria |
| Streptomycin | Resistant | The drug is no longer effective against these bacteria |
| Isoniazid | Sensitive | The drug can effectively kill the TB bacteria |
| Isoniazid | Resistant | The drug is no longer effective against these bacteria |
| Rifampicin | Sensitive | The drug can effectively kill the TB bacteria |
| Rifampicin | Resistant | The drug is no longer effective against these bacteria |
| Ethambutol | Sensitive | The drug can stop the bacteria from growing |
| Ethambutol | Resistant | The drug is no longer effective against these bacteria |
| Pyrazinamide | Sensitive | The drug can effectively kill the TB bacteria |
| Pyrazinamide | Resistant | The drug is no longer effective against these bacteria |
Disclaimer: These ranges are general guidelines. Your doctor will interpret your results based on your age, health history, and other factors. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised medical advice.
Results During Special Conditions
Certain health conditions can influence how results are interpreted.
In HIV-positive patients, other TB diagnostic methods such as sputum microscopy may be less reliable. Drug susceptibility testing therefore becomes especially important in guiding treatment decisions for such patients.
When the prevalence of drug resistance in a population is low (below 10%), resistant results may have a lower predictive value. Doctors take this into account when planning treatment.
How to Maintain Healthy Levels
The following general tips support treatment and help prevent drug resistance:
- Complete the full course of TB medication exactly as prescribed, without stopping early, even if you begin to feel better.
- Maintain good nutrition and overall health to support your immune system throughout the treatment period.
- Attend all follow-up appointments so your doctor can monitor your response to treatment.
Lupin Diagnostics MTB First Line Drug Sensitivity SIREP (Pure Culture) Test Price
The MTB First Line Drug Sensitivity SIREP test cost at Lupin Diagnostics starts at ₹6,300. This test requires a visit to a Lupin Diagnostics centre, as home collection is not available. The sample must be a laboratory-grown pure culture maintained under strict conditions.
| City | Approximate Price (₹) |
|---|---|
| BHOPAL | 6300 |
| CHENNAI | 6300 |
| HYDERABAD | 6300 |
| KOLKATA | 6300 |
| NAVI MUMBAI | 6300 |
| PUNE | 6300 |
Disclaimer: Prices are indicative and may vary by location. Please confirm the current price at the time of booking.
How to Book
Follow these steps to book the MTB First Line Drug Sensitivity SIREP test online or at a centre.
- Select the test on the Lupin Diagnostics website.
- Choose your city and preferred centre location.
- Visit the centre at your scheduled time for sample submission.
- Receive your report via email or WhatsApp within the stipulated turnaround time.
Frequently Asked Questions
This test checks whether TB bacteria are sensitive or resistant to five key first-line anti-TB drugs. The results help a TB specialist choose the most effective treatment plan. It is ordered when standard TB treatment may not be working or when drug resistance is suspected.
Accurate drug susceptibility testing requires that only TB bacteria, with no contaminating organisms, are present in the sample. A pure culture ensures the results reflect the true response of Mycobacterium tuberculosis to each drug tested.
A resistant result means the drug tested cannot effectively kill or stop the TB bacteria in your sample. This does not mean treatment is not possible; it means your doctor will need to consider alternative medicines based on the full pattern of results.
MDR-TB (multi-drug resistant tuberculosis) occurs when TB bacteria are resistant to both isoniazid and rifampicin, the two most important first-line drugs. This test directly checks for resistance to both medicines, making it a key tool in identifying MDR-TB early.
The MTB First Line Drug Sensitivity SIREP test requires a pure, actively growing culture of TB bacteria grown under controlled laboratory conditions. This is not a sample that can be collected at home. Patients must visit a Lupin Diagnostics centre to submit the culture for testing.
This test is recommended for patients with a confirmed TB diagnosis who have not responded to treatment, those who have relapsed after completing a course of medication, individuals who have been in contact with a known drug-resistant TB case, and patients being considered for retreatment where rifampicin resistance needs to be ruled out.
MTB First Line Drug Sensitivity SIREP (Pure Culture) Test: Booking, Price, and Results
