Mycobacterium Tuberculosis PCR (MTB PCR) Test

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