A 36-year-old man provisionally diagnosed with renal tuberculosis has undergone urinary sediment analysis. Microscopy revealed acid-fast bacteria, but Pryce method detected no cord factor. Name the most reliable method of investigation that can confirm or refute this provisional diagnosis:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Phage typing of the obtained culture. This method is used for typing Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains based on susceptibility to specific bacteriophages. If the culture shows susceptibility, it confirms the presence of M. tuberculosis. In this case, the absence of cord factor indicates that the bacteria are unlikely to be M. tuberculosis.
Option A (Inoculation of laboratory animals) is unethical and not necessary when other methods are available. Option C (Allergy skin test) is not relevant for confirming a diagnosis of renal tuberculosis. Option D (Toxigenicity testing) is not specific for confirming or refuting a diagnosis of M. tuberculosis.