AFB-MTb antibiogram Ethambutol

The AFB‑MTb antibiogram (Ethambutol) is an at‑home laboratory service that determines Mycobacterium tuberculosis susceptibility to Ethambutol. The test combines AFB microscopy, culture/identification of MTB and targeted drug susceptibility testing (phenotypic and/or molecular markers) to report whether Ethambutol is likely to be effective in a patient’s anti‑tuberculosis regimen. Samples are collected at home by trained personnel and processed in Dubai‑accredited laboratories to ensure compliance with local standards.

This test is recommended for patients with suspected or confirmed pulmonary TB who require evidence‑based guidance on Ethambutol use — for treatment initiation, regimen modification, or evaluation of persistent/relapsing disease. Results are reported in clinically actionable terms (susceptible/resistant and, where available, MIC or resistance‑marker details) to support TB specialists in the UAE in tailoring therapy, reducing ineffective treatment, and limiting the spread of drug‑resistant TB.

• AFB smear (presence of acid‑fast bacilli)
• Mycobacterium tuberculosis culture and identification
• Ethambutol susceptibility (phenotypic DST: Sensitive / Resistant)
• Ethambutol Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) — where available
• Relevant molecular resistance markers (e.g., embB mutations) — when tested

• Newly suspected pulmonary TB prior to starting first‑line therapy
• Before modifying a regimen that includes Ethambutol
• Persistent positive sputum or clinical non‑response on treatment
• Relapse or treatment failure after prior TB therapy
• Contacts or patients at risk of drug‑resistant TB (history of prior treatment, close contact with MDR‑TB)

• Dubai‑accredited laboratory testing and documented quality assurance
• At‑home sample collection by trained staff to minimise hospital visits
• Actionable susceptibility result to guide TB specialist treatment decisions
• Helps avoid ineffective Ethambutol use and reduces risk of resistance amplification
• Reported interpretation (susceptible/resistant and MIC or genetic markers where available)

• High‑quality deep‑cough sputum specimen (early‑morning sample preferred) collected at home
• Collection performed by trained technician using appropriate infection‑control precautions
• Provide complete TB treatment history and current medications at time of collection
• Sample transported to the Dubai‑accredited laboratory under required conditions for timely processing