ROLE OF FIBEROPTIC BRONCHOSCOPY AND GENEXPERT IN EVALUATING SPUTUM SMEAR NEGATIVE PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS SUSPECTS

BACKGROUND
\nThe objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of GeneXpert (CBNAAT) and Fiber Optic Bronchoscopy as diagnostic tools
\nin sputum negative pulmonary tuberculosis suspects.
\nMATERIALS AND METHODS
\nA prospective study was conducted on 55 patients who were pulmonary tuberculosis suspects with sputum smear negative for
\nacid fast bacilli. In all these patients, sputum was sent for GeneXpert test. Fiber optic bronchoscopy was done in all those whose
\nsputum test for GeneXpert was negative, Broncho alveolar lavage (BAL) was collected and sent for Acid fast staining and
\nGeneXpert test.
\nRESULTS
\nA total of 55 patients who were pulmonary tuberculosis suspects with sputum smear negative for AFB staining were evaluated
\nin this study. Out of 55 patients, sputum for GeneXpert test was positive in 14 patients (25.45%), BAL for Acid fast bacilli
\nstaining was positive in 3 patients (5.45%) and BAL for GeneXpert was positive in 12 patients (21.81%). All BAL for AFB positives
\n(3) were CBNAAT positives. Rifampicin resistance was detected in 1 patient out of 29 GeneXpert positive patients (3.44%).
\nCONCLUSION
\nUsing both Fiber optic Bronchoscopy and GeneXpert MTB/RIF assay (CBNAAT) in sputum AFB negative pulmonary tuberculosis
\nsuspects increases the diagnostic confirmation of tuberculosis and also helps in early detection of rifampicin resistance.
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