Volume : 6, Issue : 5, May - 2017

COMPARATIVE STUDY OF SPUTUM SMEAR EXAMINATION, GENE X-PERT AND AFB CULTURE IN DIAGNOSIS OF PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS

Dr. M. M Nayak, Dr. H. S. Thakker, Dr. Ruhee Gotmare

Abstract :

<p>&nbsp;Tuberculosis is one of the commonest infectious disease in India with one-fourth of the world&rsquo;s annual incidence reported in our country.Gene X-pert is a comparatively new rapid diagnostic test endorsed by WHO. Aims &amp; Objectives -This study was carried out with the aim of determining sensitivity and specificity of Gene X-pert for detection of tuberculosis in pulmonary specimens and compare it with both smears and TB cultures. Material &amp; Methods - A retrospective study of 60 TB patients was studied to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of Gene X-pert and compare the results with sputum smear and culture reports in pulmonary TB patients. Results - Sensitivity of Gene X-pert in sputum samples was found to be 96.67%. In our study specificity was found to be 100% in smear positive patients &amp; 63.6% in smear negative patients. Conclusion - Gene X-pert was found to be a highly specific and sensitive rapid diagnostic tool that should preferably be employed in all suspected TB patients to facilitate early detection of pulmonary TB. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS - Dean, Terna Medical College, Nerul, Navi Mumbai.</p>