DIAGNOSTIC POWER OF GENEXPERT MTB/RIF ASSAY FOR RAPID DIAGNOSIS OF TUBERCULOSIS AND DETECTION OF RIFAMPINCIN RESISTANCE IN SMEAR NEGATIVE SPUTUM SAMPLE OF SUSPECTED CASE OF TUBERCULOSIS IN TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL, JAMNAGAR, GUJARAT

Tuberculosis is a widespread, infectious disease caused by various strains of Mycobacteria usually Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis typically attacks the lungs and can also affect other parts of the body. An active TB infected patient’s cough, sneeze, or otherwise transmit through respiratory fluids are the common cause for the TB through the air. This study, which was conducted in tertiary care hospital, Jamnagar. There were 2 sputum samples, one spot supervised and one early morning collected and transported from various centres to TB culture-DST laboratory, Total 448 Smear Negative Sputum (Suspected case of Mycobacterium tuberculosis) samples were received during the study period and proceeded by GeneXpert MTB/RIF Assay. Out of total 448 smear negative sputum samples, in 142 sputum samples Mycobacterium tuberculosis Bacilli (MTB) were detected, Out MTB positive cases 12(8.45%) sputum samples resistant to Rifampicin and 103(72.53%) and 39(27.47%) cases from male and female gender respectively. highest number of MTB positive cases were found in age group of 21-30 years which were 38(26.8%) followed by 31-40 years which were 37(26%). Out total 448 Smear Negative Sputum 74 HIV positive sputum samples, in 18 samples Mycobacterium tuberculosis Bacilli (MTB) were detected. The study revealed the GeneXpert MTB/RIF Assay test offers a potential solution for improving early MTB diagnosis