Gene Xpert MTB/RIF: The evidence based path breaking diagnostic tool for TUBERCULOSIS diagnosis

Debjyoti Mohapatra; Vikas Bhatia

Volume : VII, Issue : VIII, August - 2018

Gene Xpert MTB/RIF: The evidence based path breaking diagnostic tool for TUBERCULOSIS diagnosis

Debjyoti Mohapatra, Vikas Bhatia

Abstract :

Tuberculosis remains one of the major killers. The prognosis is poor in patients who are diagnosed late or are suffering from any kind of drug resistance. Traditional methods of TB diagnosis such as microscopy and chest X– ray lack the desired sensitivity and thus may delay diagnosis of TB leading to increase in TB related deaths. These diagnostic modalities also cannot detect drug resistance which also leads to delay in initiatingeffective treatment. Culture and drug susceptibility testing is a sensitive method for diagnosing TB and detecting drug resistance but time remains a constraints.Gene Xpert provides a faster and sensitive method of diagnosing TB and detecting Multi drug resistance TB.It is of high utility in diagnosing extra–pulmonary TB and TB in HIV infected individuals. Gene Xpert has been found to be found cost effective. Many countries have already adapted this method as first line diagnostic method for TB. More countries need to expand its use for TB diagnosis and it can play a major role in achieving the goals of End TB strategy.