European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

A rapid, accurate, and reliable diagnostic test is needed for these patients so that early anti-tubercular treatment (ATT) can be started for preventing the transmission of TB and the clinical severity of the disease. Moreover, unnecessary treatment can be avoided in patients who do not have TB with the avoidance of additional expenditure on medication. Patients who are clinically suspected to have pulmonary tuberculosis, including those who have symptoms of cough with or without expectoration for >2 weeks, weight loss, fatigue, hemoptysis, and loss of appetite with sputum smear-negative for PTB were included for the study. Among the 80 cases studied, the total number of PTB cases diagnosed was 58 (72%). The total number of PTB cases being CBNAAT +ve was 52. The total number of PTB cases having positive LJ culture was 58 cases. The total number of cases, of other diseases diagnosed, was 22, which included 2 cases of malignancy (1-squamous cell carcinoma, 1- adenocarcinoma), 4 cases of fungal (mucormycosis and aspergilloma) pneumonia, and 16 cases of bacterial (Klebsiella, pseudomonas, CONS) pneumonia. The sensitivity of CBNAAT was 87.93%, specificity was 95.45%, positive predictive value 98.07%, Negative predictive value-75%.