RESUMO
To evaluate the recently available Cobas Amplicor polymerase chain reaction [PCR] system for the detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex [MTBC] in well-characterized clinical specimens and to compare the results with clinical classification, conventional culture and staining techniques. Three hundred and forty-four clinical specimens consecutively received for culture of acid-fast bacilli by the laboratory of Zayed Military Hospital, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, from 2004 to 2005, were used in this study. Acid-fast bacilli and culture for tuberculosis were compared with Cobas Amplicor PCR. The final diagnostic evaluation of the Cobas Amplicor MTB showed the followings: sensitivity 73.3%, specificity 99.4%, positive predictive value 84.6%, negative predictive value 98.8% and with accuracy of 98.2% for the Cobas Amplicor MTB assay. The automated Cobas Amplicor MTB assay is suitable for routine use in clinical laboratories