Prevalence and Diagnosis of Rifampicin-Resistant Mycobacterium Tuberculosis using the GeneXpert MTB/RIF Assay at a Tertiary Care Children's Hospital: Prevalence and Diagnosis of Rifampicin-Resistant Mycobacterium Tuberculosis

Rabyya Jameel; Naima Mehdi; Nadia Majeed; Aizza Zafar; Anum Tahir; Iqra Aroob

doi:10.54393/pjhs.v5i07.1764

Authors

Rabyya Jameel Department of Microbiology, University of Child Health Sciences, The Children’s Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan
Naima Mehdi Department of Microbiology, University of Child Health Sciences, The Children’s Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan
Nadia Majeed Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Child Health Sciences, The Children’s Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan
Aizza Zafar Department of Microbiology, University of Child Health Sciences, The Children’s Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan
Anum Tahir University College of Medicine and Dentistry University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan
Iqra Aroob School of Allied Health Sciences, University of Child Health Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54393/pjhs.v5i07.1764

Keywords:

Tuberculosis, Rifampicin Resistance, GeneXpert MTB/RIF Assay

Abstract

Rifampicin is a primary anti-tuberculosis medication. Diagnosing multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) remains a persistent challenge when examining both pulmonary and extra-pulmonary samples. Rapid detection of rifampicin resistance is essential for the timely treatment and prevention of the spread of tuberculosis. Recently, GeneXpert MTB/RIF assay has emerged as an advanced technique for the rapid diagnosis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Objectives: To assess the prevalence of rifampicin resistance in samples from pediatric patients in Pakistan, encompassing both pulmonary and extra-pulmonary cases using GeneXpert MTB/RIF assay. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Children’s Hospital, Lahore for a duration of six months. Pulmonary and extra pulmonary samples of patients under age 16 were examined by GeneXpert MTB/RIF assay. Results: A total of 1320 samples were examined, and among them, 110 tested positive for M. tuberculosis (MTB) infection. Out of these 110 positive samples, 5 exhibited resistances to rifampicin, 18 showed indeterminate resistance, while rifampicin resistance was not detected in the remaining 87 samples. Additionally, 3 of the rifampicin-resistant samples displayed a very low load of MTB, and 2 samples exhibited a low MTB load. Conclusions: This study revealed 4.5% prevalence of MDR-TB in pediatric population. The study also showed that GeneXpert is a highly advanced technique for the diagnosis of rifampicin resistance in pulmonary and extra-pulmonary samples.

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