It is a rapid cultivation method for detection of mycobacteria. It is based on radiometric detection of C14 labelled CO2 released as a result of growth of mycobacteria in a special 12B liquid medium which contains c14 labelled palmitic acid. Palmitic acid is used for growth by these bacteria. This is both a sensitive and specific test.
The main advantage of this test is early results. It can detect the growth of mycobacteria in as early as 5 days, with an average duration of 1-12 days, as against the 6-8 weeks taken to grow AFB by culture on traditional media. In a smear positive individual, AFB culture and drug sensitivity testing can be done simultaneously results can be made available in 10-12 days.
