English

Abstract

Mycobacterium tuberculosis remains one of the most significant causes of death from an infectious agent. The rapid diagnosis of tuberculosis and detection of rifampin (RIF) resistance are essential for early disease management. The Gene Xpert MTB/RIF assay is a novel integrated diagnostic device for the diagnosis of tuberculosis and rapid detection of RIF resistance in clinical specimens. We determined the performance of the MTB/RIF assay for rapid diagnosis of tuberculosis and detection of rifampin resistance in smear-positive and smear-negative pulmonary specimens obtained from possible tuberculosis patients. Aim of the study is to assess diagnostic usefulness of Gene Xpert MTB/RIF assay technique in management of tuberculosis. This is an Observational Study. Study is performed in tertiary teaching hospital, department of pulmonary medicine, maharajah's institute of medical sciences, Vizianagaram between June 2012 and December 2013. Two hundred five Sputum samples were obtained from TB suspects. All samples were tested on Gene Xpert for MTB/RIF detection after AFB microscopy. 108(52.68%) sputum samples were AFB smear positive and 96 (47.32%) were negative. In MTB/RIF assay 144 (70.24%) were MTB positive and 61 (29.76%) were negative. Chi-Square test was applied; P value is <0.001. All results are highly significant. The MTB/RIF assay also detected 4 RIF-resistant specimen and 140 RIF-susceptible specimens, and the results were confirmed by drug susceptibility testing. We concluded that the MTB/RIF test is a simple method, and routine staff with minimal training can use the system. It helps to avoid injudicious use of anti-tuberculosis drug.