DIN 58943-3:2011-03

This standard applies to the cultural examination for the purpose of detecting mycobacteria. The Committee responsible for the preparation is NA 063-05-03 AA "Tuberkulose- und Mykobakteriendiagnostik" ("Diagnosis of tuberculosis and mycobacteriosis") of the Medical Standards Committee (NAMed) at DIN, the German Institute for Standardization e. V., in cooperation with the Arbeitskreis Mykobakterien (AKM) ("Working Group on Mycobacteria"). The AKM is a panel of experts based in the German-speaking area which, among other things, coordinates studies regarding mycobacteriological diagnostics. The cultural detection of mycobacteria is the "gold standard" of mycobacterial diagnostics. Growth of tubercle bacilli is proof of the presence of tuberculosis. The proper detection of mycobacteria from specimens consists of at least the culture method and may be combined with further detection methods according to DIN 58943, Supplement 1, if appropriate.