AFB-MTb antibiogram Levofloxacin

The AFB-MTb antibiogram for Levofloxacin is a laboratory test that determines whether Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates are susceptible or resistant to the fluoroquinolone antibiotic levofloxacin. The assay typically combines AFB microscopy and culture of a respiratory or relevant clinical specimen with phenotypic or molecular drug-susceptibility testing to report minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and categorical interpretation (sensitive/resistant).

This test is important because levofloxacin is a core second-line agent used in treatment of multi-drug resistant (MDR) and complicated tuberculosis. Accurate susceptibility data enable clinicians to design effective, individualized regimens, avoid ineffective drugs, reduce the risk of further resistance, and support appropriate public-health management across Dubai and the UAE.

Specimen requirements and turnaround time vary: culture-based phenotypic DST commonly requires 2–6 weeks, while molecular assays for fluoroquinolone resistance can provide faster preliminary information. Results should be reviewed by the treating physician or TB specialist; home sample collection is available through trained technicians for eligible patients in Dubai and across the UAE, and testing is performed according to local biosafety and reporting standards.

• Acid-Fast Bacilli (AFB) microscopy
• Mycobacterium tuberculosis culture
• Levofloxacin susceptibility (phenotypic)
• Levofloxacin Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC)
• Susceptibility interpretation (Sensitive / Resistant)

• Persistent positive AFB smears or culture despite anti-TB therapy
• Treatment failure, relapse, or lack of clinical improvement
• Contact with a known MDR/XDR-TB case
• History of prior fluoroquinolone exposure or antibiotic misuse
• Before initiating or modifying second-line TB regimens

• Determines levofloxacin susceptibility to guide individualized TB therapy
• Supports effective MDR-TB regimen selection and stewardship
• Convenient home specimen collection across Dubai and the UAE
• Reduces risk of ineffective treatment and emergence of further resistance
• Provides actionable results for clinicians and public-health follow-up

• Early-morning sputum specimen (or induced sputum / BAL when indicated)
• Valid Emirates ID and physician referral or test request
• Provide recent treatment history, including prior TB and fluoroquinolone use
• Sample collection by trained technician with appropriate biosafety transport