Comparative Evaluation of GENE-XPERT MTB/RIF with AFB Smear Microscopy Methods for the Diagnosis of Tuberculosis in Sputum Specimens of Suspected Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients

ABSTRACT

Tuberculosis is a major public health problem worldwide and remains one of the most significant causes of death from an infectious agent. India contributes to 25.5% of the global new TB case detection. In recent times, emphasis has shifted from older phenotypically and biochemical methods of diagnosis to molecular methods such as GeneXpert MTB/RIF, a real time PCR that can detect MTB and rifampicin resistence simultaneously. Methods: This study aims at assessing the performance of acid fast bacilli (AFB) smear microscopy in comparison with GeneXpert MTB RIF, in the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis. Study was a cross-sectional study carried out at the Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Muzaffarnagar Medical College, from January 2018 to April 2019. Result: The detection of MTB and rifampicin resistance using the Xpert MTB/RIF assay was assessed in 67 specimens from patients suspected of having pulmonary tuberculosis and compared with conventional smear microscopy. Out of these 67 sputum specimens, 38 samples were MTB positive by smear microscopy while 56 samples were MTB detected by Gene Xpert assay. Gene Xpert detected 18 additional tubercular cases and identify two cases of Rifampicin resistant MTB. Conclusion: Study show that there was no statistically significance in diagnostic value between GeneXpert and AFB smear microscopy in sputum samples however Gene Xpert MTB/RIF is useful method for rapid detection of MTB and Rifampicin resistance simultaneously.