Detection of Microorganisms in Body Fluids via MTT-PMS Assay
Journal
Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland)
Journal Volume
12
Journal Issue
1
Pages
46
Date Issued
2022-01
Author(s)
Chen, Cheng-Han
Tsao, Yu-Ting
Liao, Yu-Hsiang
Lee, Yi-Tzu
Liao, Wan-Ting
Wang, Yung-Chih
Shen, Ching-Fen
Cheng, Chao-Min
Abstract
Early detection of microorganisms is essential for the management of infectious diseases. However, this is challenging, as traditional culture methods are labor-intensive and time-consuming. The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide-phenazine methosulfate (MTT-PMS) assay has been used to evaluate the metabolic activity in live cells and can thus be used for detecting living microorganisms. With the addition of NaOH and Tris-EDTA, the same approach can be accelerated (within 15 min) and used for the quick detection of common bacterial pathogens. The assay results can be evaluated colorimetrically or semi-quantitatively. Here, the quick detection by MTT-PMS assay was further investigated. The assay had a detection limit of approximately 104 CFU/mL. In clinical evaluations, we used the MTT-PMS assay to detect clinical samples and bacteriuria (>105 CFU/mL). The negative predictive value of the MTT-PMS assay for determining bacteriuria was 79.59% but was 100% when the interference of abnormal blood was excluded. Thus, the MTT-PMS assay might be a potential "rule-out" tool for bacterial detection in clinical samples, at a cost of approximately USD 1 per test. Owing to its low cost, rapid results, and easy-to-use characteristics, the MTT-PMS assay may be a potential tool for microorganism detection.
Subjects
MTT-PMS assay; bacterial detection; human body fluids; infectious diseases; point-of-care testing
SDGs
Type
journal article