GeneXpert-Based Prevalence of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis and Rifampicin Resistance in Suspected Patients of District Narowal, Pakistan

Background: Tuberculosis is a bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) that affects both humans and animals. It is one of the world's most widespread serious public health challenges. The present study aimed to check the prevalence of tuberculosis through GeneXpert and association with possible risk factors in suspected tuberculosis positive patients in district Narowal, Pakistan. Methods: A designed questionnaire was filled out to collect data from suspected patients including age, gender, area, marital status, diet, economic status, smoking status, home condition, education, and close contact with tuberculosis (TB) patients. A Lung function test was performed. Statistical analysis was done by applying a chi-square test in SPSS software (version 22) to evaluate the association between GeneXpert and acid-fast staining technique. Results: A total of 500 samples were collected and they were analyzed through auramine rhodamine staining to get efficient results samples were further analyzed to GeneXpert. Out of 500 samples, 195 samples were positive for staining and 282 were positive for GeneXpert from both male and female. The prevalence rate was recorded higher in age groups >50 while a lower prevalence rate was recorded in less than 40 age groups. Rifampicin (RIF) resistance was detected in 63 patients in which males showed high resistance to rifampicin with (52.4%) as compared to females with (47.6%) resistance. Conclusion: The actual prevalence of suspected tuberculosis cases is relatively high, and the GeneXpert MTB/RIF assay is superior to traditional acid fast staining in detecting the disease and identifying rifampicin-resistant patients at the same time, which is an important guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of the disease.