Application of oxidation-reduction assay for monitoring treatment of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.

By oxidation-reduction assay, the viability of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in sputum specimens was evaluated. The technique is based on the Alamar Blue and Malachite Green dyes, which change their color in response to M. tuberculosis growth. The method is simple, permits visual reading of results, and is applicable for laboratories with limited resources.