Background:

 Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis accounts for about15 to 20% of all cases of Tuberculosis in India. It is difficult to diagnose EPTB due to varied presentations and difficulty in obtaining adequate sample for investigations. Cartridge based Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (CBNAAT) also known as GeneXpert is a major advance in diagnosis of Tuberculosis (TB) in past decade.

Aims and Objectives:

To diagnose EPTB using CBNAAT.

To detect R Resistance in EPTB using CBNAAT.

Materials and methods: 212 samples from different extrapulmonary sites were sent for CBNAAT for diagnosis of EPTB and R Resistance.

Results:

51 samples were diagnosed to be EPTB maximum being lymph node TB and R Resistance was detected in five. Scrotal TB which is a rare condition was also diagnosed and was found to be R Resistant.

Conclusion: CBNAAT is a useful investigation in diagnosis of EPTB. Also R Resistant EPTB can be rapidly diagnosed with CBNAAT.