TB PCR TEST

It is one of the specific tests to diagnose tuberculosis (TB) in a person. Tuberculosis is a very common disease in India caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It is an acid-fast bacillus (AFB). This disease is highly infectious. It is an air borne disease, which spreads when an infected person coughs, sneezes or spits. It predominantly affects the lungs. However, other body parts can be affected as well like spine, brain, intestine, genitals, kidneys, joints, etc.

Apart from Tuberculosis complex, TB PCR can also detect NTM (Non-Tuberculous Mycobacteria). They are atypical Mycobacteria which are opportunistic pathogens causing skin and soft tissue infections, device associated infections, etc.

The common symptoms of active pulmonary (lungs) TB are:

Diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis is done by the following methods:

Tuberculosis treatment includes intake of many drugs which must be taken for a prolonged period of time. If not taken properly it may lead to development of drug resistant tuberculosis also called MDR TB. The common drugs used for treatment of tuberculosis are:

TB PCR:

TB PCR test detects M. tuberculosis or atypical Mycobacteria by identifying their respective DNA in a sample depending on site of tuberculosis suspected.

Advantages of PCR for Mycobacterium tuberculosis test:

Why is TB PCR test prescribed?

Your health care provider may prescribe this test for early and precise diagnosis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex or Atypical Mycobacteria.

Procedure and Prerequisites

The sample taken for this test depends upon the site of involvement such as sputum/ pleural fluid (pulmonary TB), blood, bone marrow, tissue biopsy, CSF (cerebrospinal fluid).

It is a type of nucleic acid amplification test. Its result should be interpreted with clinical, radiographic and other test findings.

Reference Range

The result can either be

Prolonged coughing for 3 weeks or more
Blood in sputum
Chest pain, painful breathing, pain while coughing
Unexplained weight loss
Fever with evening rise of temperature
Loss of appetite
Night sweats

Chest X-ray or CT scan
Sputum examination under microscope for detection of AFB
Sputum culture (can take 2-6 weeks) and antibiotic sensitivity testing (can take 3 weeks) –to find the medications to which AFB is sensitive.
Molecular methods like TB PCR, CB NAAT, Line probe assay
Tuberculin test (for latent TB)
IGRA (for latent TB)

Isoniazid
Rifampicin
Ethambutol
Pyrazinamide

quick result
reliable
cost effective
highly sensitive
highly specific

Negative (Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex/ Non-tuberculous Mycobacterium not detected)
Positive (Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex/ Non-tuberculous Mycobacterium detected)
Inconclusive (questionable Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex/ Non-tuberculous Mycobacterium). In this case the test might have to be repeated with a fresh sample.

Mycobacterium Tuberculosis PCR (MTB PCR) Test in Idukky

M0111

Mon & fri

Submit Sputum and urine first morning samples ideally on 3 consecutive Days.

24 Hours

₹2,500

Parameters

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