21. Diagnosis of Active Tuberculosis with Immunochromatograhic TB Test in Suspected Tuberculosis Patients
Arif Gulzar1, Nasir Mahmood2 and Fizza Muazzam3
ABSTRACT
Objective: To detect active disease in suspected cases of pulmonary and extrapulmonary TB patients we employed immunochromatographic IgG/IgM antibodies using recombinant antigen kDa 6, kDa16 and kDa 38, which has higher sensitivity and specificity.
Study Design: Prospective cohort study
Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Department of Medicine in collaboration with Radiology and Pathology Departments of Pak Red Crescent Medical and Dental College Teaching Hospital Dina Nath from March 2016 to March 2018.
Materials and Methods: A sample of Fifty four suspected TB patients with the same number of control patients were included in this study. The patients were divided in different groups as (1) 45 patients with clinical features of suspected pulmonary tuberculosis, meeting WHO criteria, (24 new and 18 old) and 3 cases of pleural tuberculosis, along with chest X-ray (CXR) had findings with suspicion of tuberculosis.(2) Nine patients with diagnosis of suspected TB lymphadenitis.(3) Forty five non-suspected TB patients with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and others with minor respiratory tract complaints, without constitutional symptoms but mimicking tuberculosis and having no evidence of TB findings on chest films were taken as controls. Similarly 9 controls with lymph nodes enlargement but without any suspicion of tuberculosis were taken as controls. The chest X-rays were taken in Radiology department and the laboratory investigations and ICT-TB test were performed in the pathology department of hospital.
Results: Sensitivity in newly symptomatic patients of pulmonary and extrapulmonary disease with rapid TB tests was 66% while in old healed TB cases was 16% with 100% specificity and high positive predictive values. Our focus was on finding and results in suspected cases of tuberculosis with the help of clinical features ,chest x.ray findings ,and confirming these with ICT-TB test.
Conclusion: Rapid TB test is helpful in early and rapid diagnosis of tuberculosis in suspected patients.
Key Words: Pulmonary and extra pulmonary tuberculosis, IgG, IgM, Chest X-ray, Recombinant antigen
Citation of articles: Gulzar A, Mahmood N, Muazzam F. Diagnosis of Active Tuberculosis with Immunochromatograhic TB Test in Suspected Tuberculosis Patients. Med Forum 2018;29(10):85-88.