Rapid Detection of Tuberculosis and Rifampicin Resistance with automated Genexpert MTB/RIF Assay

Abstract

Objective: To Determine the Sensitivity and specificity of GeneXpert Test fordiagnosis of Tuberculosis and Rapid detection of Rifampicin Resistance inSmear Positive and Smear Negative Pulmonary Tuberculosis cases.Background and Methods: Mycobacterium Tuberculosis (TB) is a Majorhealth problem across the world and currently killing 1.5 million people everyyear. The early detection of Tuberculosis is essential to reduce the death rateand interrupt the transmission. The GeneXpert MTB/RIF test is the novelintegrated diagnostic device for the diagnosis of Tuberculosis and rapiddetection of Rifampicin resistance, which can lead to Tuberculosis detection ina less than 02 hours. This study is a prospective and conducted betweenDecember, 2011 to March, 2014 at PMDT Site, Department of Pulmonology,Chandka Medical College, Shaeed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto MedicalUniversity.Results: Among the total 2019 patients, 1210 were Sputum Smear Positive &809 were Sputum Smear Negative. The overall sensitivity was 91.15% andspecificity was 100% for the diagnosis of Pulmonary Tuberculosis Smear +ve &Smear –ve cases. The GeneXpert identified 273 cases Rifampicin resistant,253 were for Sputum Smear +ve and 20 from Sputum Smear –ve pulmonarycases.Conclusion: The Xpert MTB/RIF is highly sensitive for detection of tuberculosisand Rifampicin resistance. It require reduced time for detection of tuberculosisand Rifampicin resistance compared to the convenience test, that in turn helpto initiate timely diagnosis and start of treatment.