Abstract:
One of the crucial step for effective tuberculosis management is to choose a Diagnostic
method with high sensitivity and specificity. But slow growth rate of Tubercle bacilli makes the
diagnosis more complicated and hence need of hour is improved diagnostic methods to limit
progression and the spread of the disease. Options available among conventional laboratory
methods are sputum microscopy and culture methods.
Sputum microscopy is rapid, reliable, simple & reasonably costing but has poor
sensitivity and requires multiple visits leading to higher default rate. Culture method although
considered gold standard but it takes almost 2-6 weeks’ time to give the result and also requires
proper infrastructure with technical expertise. But with advancement in technology CBNAAT
also offer a better option as it is specific, automated technology utilizing DNA - PCR technique
for identification. It is currently unique in its simplification of molecular testing. It can detect
both M. tuberculosis and Rifampicin resistance directly from sputum in an assay fetching results
within two hours
