A Comparative Study Of Cartridge Based Nucleic Acid Amplification Testing And Auramine-Rhodamine Stain Microscopy With Culture Method In The Diagnosis Of Pulmonary Tuberculosis

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