Mycobacterium inoculation on Lowenstein-Jensen medium (LJ Media)
Decontaminated samples 5-10ml were transferred to follicle tube. Inoculated in to two slants of LJ media for liquid medium and smear microscopic examination. Using a pipette, 3-4 drops (0.2-0.4 ml) were inoculated in each LJ slant. All LJ slants were incubated at 37°C and examined daily. After formation of mycobacterium colonies, ZN staining was carried out to identify AFB, while samples were considered culture negative if there were no colonies formed after 8 weeks of incubation time [14].