MTB Susceptibility – Levofloxacin Test: Booking, Price, and Results
About MTB Susceptibility – Levofloxacin Test: Booking, Price, and Results
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Also Known As | MTB Levofloxacin Susceptibility Test, AFB Drug Susceptibility Test – Levofloxacin, TB Levofloxacin Sensitivity Test, LFX Susceptibility Test |
| Sample Type | Ascitic fluid, aspirate, BAL, bile, bone marrow, bronchial fluid, catheter tip, corneal scraping, CSF, endotracheal secretion, gastric fluid, hair clipping, liver abscess fluid, nail, pericardial fluid, peritoneal fluid, pleural fluid, pus swab, reproductive tract secretions, swab, semen, skin scraping, sputum, synovial fluid, throat swab, tissue, urine, vaginal fluid, vaginal swab, pure culture, pus |
| Fasting Required | No |
| Report Time | 29 days |
| Recommended For | All genders and ages; primarily patients with confirmed or suspected drug-resistant tuberculosis |
| Price | Starting at ₹3,000 |
What Is an MTB Susceptibility – Levofloxacin Test?
The MTB Susceptibility – Levofloxacin test checks whether the tuberculosis-causing bacterium, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, is sensitive or resistant to levofloxacin, a key antibiotic used in treating drug-resistant TB. It is also known as the AFB Drug Susceptibility Test – Levofloxacin or the TB Levofloxacin Sensitivity Test. Doctors typically order this test after a TB diagnosis, especially when they suspect the bacteria may not respond to standard medicines. Samples can be collected from multiple body sites depending on where the infection is located.
What Does an MTB Susceptibility – Levofloxacin Test Measure?
This test analyses whether levofloxacin can stop the growth of TB bacteria in your sample. The following key parameters are assessed:
| Parameter | What It Shows |
|---|---|
| Levofloxacin Susceptibility | The TB bacteria are sensitive to levofloxacin and likely to respond to treatment |
| Levofloxacin Resistance | The TB bacteria are not affected by levofloxacin, requiring a different treatment plan |
| Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) | The lowest drug concentration that prevents bacterial growth |
| Fluoroquinolone Resistance Markers | Genetic or phenotypic signs that the bacteria can resist the drug |
The result is reported as either 'susceptible' (the drug should work) or 'resistant' (the drug is unlikely to work).
Why Is an MTB Susceptibility – Levofloxacin Test Done?
This test is ordered when TB bacteria may not be responding to standard antibiotics. Knowing whether TB bacteria are resistant to levofloxacin is critical for choosing the right treatment plan. This test helps doctors avoid ineffective drugs and design regimens that give the best chance of a cure.
Common Symptoms That May Require This Test
A doctor may recommend the MTB Susceptibility – Levofloxacin test if you have the following symptoms:
- Persistent cough lasting more than three weeks
- Coughing up sputum or phlegm
- Low-grade fever that does not settle
- Night sweats
- Unexplained weight loss
- Tiredness or general weakness
- Chest pain or discomfort
Conditions This Test Can Help Detect
This test is used to identify or manage the following conditions:
- Multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) with fluoroquinolone (broad-spectrum antibiotics) resistance
- Pre-extensively drug-resistant TB (Pre-XDR-TB), where bacteria are MDR and also resistant to a fluoroquinolone such as levofloxacin
- Extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB), a severe form resistant to multiple second-line drugs including levofloxacin
MTB Susceptibility – Levofloxacin Test for Chronic Disease Monitoring
For patients already on TB treatment, this test may be repeated if treatment does not appear to be working. Susceptibility testing helps confirm whether the bacteria have acquired resistance during a long course of therapy. Your doctor will decide how often testing is needed based on your clinical progress.
How to Prepare and What to Expect
No special preparation is needed before this test, but following a few simple steps helps ensure that the sample collected is of good quality.
Do You Need to Fast?
No, fasting is not required for the MTB Susceptibility – Levofloxacin test. You can eat and drink normally before your appointment.
Practical Tips Before Your Test
The following steps will help ensure an accurate sample:
- Bring a detailed clinical history including your symptoms, previous test results and any past TB treatment, as this is required for the test.
- Provide your complete address and mobile number at the time of booking or registration.
- Inform your doctor about all current medications, including any antibiotics or anti-TB drugs
- Also, mention if you have previously been treated for TB or if you have been exposed to someone with drug-resistant TB.
- For sputum collection, early morning specimens typically yield better results.
- Wear loose, comfortable clothing to your appointment.
Step-by-Step Procedure
The sample collection process for the MTB Susceptibility – Levofloxacin test procedure will vary depending on the type of specimen required. The steps below describe the general process:
- You visit a Lupin Diagnostics centre, where a trained healthcare professional guides you through sample collection based on your infection site.
- For sputum samples, you will be asked to cough deeply and collect phlegm into a sterile container. At least two to three separate specimens are often needed.
- For other specimen types (such as CSF, pleural fluid, pus or urine), a trained professional will collect the sample using appropriate clinical procedures.
- The sample is placed in a sterile container, labelled and stored at 2 to 8 degrees Celsius before dispatch.
- At the laboratory, the sample is processed using an automated method; the TB bacteria, if present, are first cultured and identified, then subjected to susceptibility testing against levofloxacin.
- Results are made available after the full incubation and analysis period, with the full report available within 29 days.
Factors That Can Affect Accuracy
The following factors may affect the reliability of results:
- Poor sample quality or an insufficient volume of sputum or body fluid
- Contamination of the sample with bacteria from the mouth or environment
- Prior use of fluoroquinolone antibiotics, which may suppress bacterial growth
- Presence of inhibitory substances in the sample that interfere with bacterial culture
- Delays in transporting the sample to the laboratory
Understanding Your MTB Susceptibility – Levofloxacin Test Results
Your results should always be reviewed by a doctor who is familiar with your full medical history. The table below outlines how results are generally interpreted.
| Result | Interpretation |
|---|---|
| Susceptible (S) | The TB bacteria respond to levofloxacin; the drug is expected to be effective |
| Resistant (R) | The TB bacteria do not respond to levofloxacin; alternative drugs are needed |
| Critical Concentration (Agar Proportion Method) | Susceptible at or below 1 µg/ml |
| Critical Concentration (MGIT/BACTEC Method) | Susceptible at or below 2 µg/ml |
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 situations can make results more complex to interpret. Your doctor will consider these when reviewing your report.
- Prior antibiotic use for unrelated infections (such as urinary tract infections or respiratory infections) may have selected for resistant strains, affecting the result even before TB treatment begins.
- HIV co-infection can influence both TB disease progression and treatment response, and results should be interpreted alongside the patient's HIV status.
- Some bacteria carry genetic mutations in the gyrA gene yet still appear susceptible in standard phenotypic testing, meaning genetic analysis may sometimes provide additional information.
How to Maintain Healthy Levels
The following general wellness steps are important during TB treatment:
- Complete the full prescribed course of TB treatment without interruption, as stopping early is a key cause of drug resistance.
- Avoid taking fluoroquinolone antibiotics (such as levofloxacin) for other illnesses without a doctor's advice, as this can contribute to resistance.
- Support your immune system through adequate nutrition, rest and hydration during treatment.
- Follow up with your doctor regularly so that treatment response can be monitored and adjustments made if needed.
Lupin Diagnostics MTB Susceptibility – Levofloxacin Test Price
The MTB Susceptibility – Levofloxacin test cost at Lupin Diagnostics starts at ₹3,000. This test requires a visit to a Lupin Diagnostics centre; home collection is not available for this test.
| City | Approximate Price (₹) |
|---|---|
| BHOPAL | 3000 |
| CHENNAI | 3000 |
| HYDERABAD | 3000 |
| KOLKATA | 3000 |
| NAVI MUMBAI | 3000 |
| PUNE | 3000 |
Prices are indicative and may vary by location. Please confirm the current price at the time of booking.
How to Book
Follow these steps for MTB Susceptibility – Levofloxacin test online booking:
- Select the test on the Lupin Diagnostics website.
- Choose your city and preferred centre location.
- Visit the centre at your scheduled time for sample collection.
- Receive your report via email or WhatsApp within the stipulated turnaround time.
Frequently Asked Questions
The MTB Susceptibility – Levofloxacin test checks whether the TB bacterium (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) in your sample will respond to levofloxacin, an antibiotic commonly used in treating multidrug-resistant TB. The result is reported as 'susceptible' or 'resistant' and helps your doctor choose the most effective treatment.
Levofloxacin is a key drug in MDR-TB treatment regimens. If the bacteria are resistant to it, the treatment plan must be adjusted to include other effective medicines. Identifying resistance early prevents treatment failure and reduces the risk of TB spreading further.
This test is usually ordered after a confirmed TB diagnosis where resistance to first-line drugs is suspected, or when a previous treatment course has not worked. It may also be requested if you have a history of prior TB treatment or known contact with a drug-resistant case.
A wide range of sample types is accepted, including sputum, BAL, bronchial fluid, CSF, pus, urine, pleural fluid, synovial fluid, tissue and many other body fluids or secretions, depending on the location of the TB infection in the body.
The report is delivered within 29 days. This timeframe accounts for the culture and identification of TB bacteria, followed by susceptibility testing, which requires adequate bacterial growth before results can be read.
A resistant result means levofloxacin is unlikely to clear your TB infection. Your doctor, typically a specialist in infectious diseases or pulmonology, will review the finding and plan an alternative regimen using other second-line anti-TB drugs. You should not stop or change any medication without medical guidance.
Yes. You must bring a detailed clinical history, including your current symptoms, previous TB test results and prior treatment records. You will also need to provide your full address and a working mobile number, as these are required for sample processing and report delivery.
MTB Susceptibility – Levofloxacin Test: Booking, Price, and Results
