GeneXpert

Tuberculosis or TB, caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) is one of the diseases with a high fatality rate that mostly affects the lungs (Pulmonary TB) and sometimes infects other parts of the body like pleura, joints, abdomen, skin, etc (Non-pulmonary TB). The disease spreads mainly when the bacteria are dispersed in the air when an infected person spits, coughs, or sneezes. Due to the slow growth pattern and drug resistance, the disease presents a major challenge in terms of treatment and quick diagnostic techniques.

GeneXpert is a cartridge-based nucleic acid amplification test (CB – NAAT) using nested real-time PCR technology. It is a rapid, reliable, and highly sensitive type of DNA amplification technique that aids in quick detection of MTB DNA and mutations of the rpoB gene which is specific for rifampicin resistance.

Cough for more than three weeks, chills, fever, night sweats, loss of appetite, weakness, and weight loss are some of the symptoms observed in individuals suffering from TB infection

Why Get Tested with GeneXpert?
GeneXpert test is a rapid, reliable, and highly sensitive type of DNA amplification technique that aids in quick detection of DNA of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacterium that is responsible for Tuberculosis and mutations in the rpoB gene which is specific for rifampicin resistance.

What sample is required and what preparation is needed for this test?
A number of samples including body fluids, sputum, bronchial alveolar lavage, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), pus, tissue, biopsies, lymph nodes, abscess, urine can be used for performing this test. There is no special preparation required before getting this test.

What are the types of drug-resistant TB?
Drug-resistant tuberculosis infection, caused by drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) bacterium is divided into the following categories

• Multidrug-resistant or MDR-TB: MDR-TB is the TB infection caused by MTB that is resistant to the most potent drugs used in TB treatment – isoniazid and rifampin.
• Extensively drug-resistant or XDR-TB: XDR-TB is the TB infection caused by MTB that is resistant to most commonly used drugs used in TB treatment like isoniazid and rifampin, plus any fluoroquinolone as well as at least one of the three injectable second-line drugs (amikacin, kanamycin, and capreomycin).

Is there any vaccine for Tuberculosis? Can TB be cured?
Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is the vaccine available for prevention of TB infection. TB is a preventable and curable disease. Active infections can be treated with a 6-month course of antimicrobial drugs.

What does CB NAAT stand for?
CB NAAT is short for cartridge-based nucleic acid amplification test.

What advantages does GeneXpert have over other methods of TB diagnosis?

• Quick results
• Minimal technical expertise
• Rapid identification of rifampicin-resistant MTB infection as well as possible MDR-TB