Identification of fluoroquinolone-resistant <i>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</i> through high-level data fusion of Raman and laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy

Accurate and rapid diagnosis of drug susceptibility of Mycobacterium tuberculosis is crucial for the successful treatment of tuberculosis, a persistent global public health threat. To shorten diagnosis times and enhance accuracy, this study introduces a fusion model combining laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and Raman spectroscopy. This model offers a rapid and accurate method for diagnosing drug-resistance. LIBS and Raman spectroscopy provide complementary information, enabling accurate identification of drug resistance in tuberculosis. Although individual use of LIBS or Raman spectroscopy achieved approximately 90% accuracy in identifying drug resistance, the fusion model significantly improved identification accuracy to 98.3%. Given the fast measurement capabilities of both techniques, this fusion approach is expected to markedly decrease the time required for diagnosis.