Evaluation of the Bactec 960 automated nonradiometric system for isolationof mycobacteria from clinical specimens

The Bactec MGIT 960 system (Becton Dickinson, USA), designed for the cultur e of mycobacteria, was compared with the Bactec 460 instrument and culture on two solid egg-based media using a total of 1024 clinical specimens. Myco bacteria could be identified from 99 (9.7%) specimens, 89 (90%) of which we re identified by the Bactec 960 system, 90 (91%) by the Bactec 460 system, and 82 (83%) by culture on the two egg-based media. The Bactec 960 cultures became positive an average of 16.7 days after specimen collection, the Bac tec 460 cultures 14.9 days after collection, and the cultures on egg-based media 26.2 days after collection. The Bactec 960 is a compact and highly au tomated nonradiometric system that may replace the Bactec 460 system.