Assessment of Smart Check Recombinant Test in Diagnosis of Pulmonary Tuberculosis In Al-Najaf Al-Ashraf Governorate

Abstract

This cross sectional study was undertaken to evaluate the Smart Check Recombinant TB test which is a rapid membrane based screening test to detect the presence of antibodies to active M. tuberculosis (Serological test, which is used for the first time in Al - Najaf Al-Ashraf governorate) in screening for pulmonary tuberculosis as a rapid diagnostic test of pulmonary tuberculosis, in comparison with sputum smear microscopy depending on the (findings and clinical judgment). Patients involved were those who attend at Respiratory Chest Diseases Center in AL– Najaf ALAshraf Governorate. Fifty suspected patients, within the age groups 12 - 70 years old who were referred from primary health care centers, hospitals, and private clinics, between1/5/2006to31/6/2006. From 50 cases 7 (14 %) were diagnosed as pulmonary tuberculosis by Smart Check test and 43 (86%) all patients were negative, by direct sputum smear microscopy . Chi-square had been applied to test, the level of significance when alpha < 0.05 and indicated there was high significant association.