Tuberculosis

When should the test be performed?
GeneXpert MTB/RIF is an advanced, automated diagnostic method based on PCR technology. It is used for the rapid detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and identification of resistance to rifampicin, a key drug in tuberculosis therapy. Indications for performing the test include:

• Suspected pulmonary or extrapulmonary tuberculosis
• Diagnosis of patients with symptoms such as chronic cough, hemoptysis, fever, and weight loss
• Suspected multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB)
• Urgent need to initiate anti-tuberculosis treatment
• Tuberculosis diagnosis in immunocompromised patients (e.g., HIV/AIDS, immunosuppressive therapies)

Test description
GeneXpert MTB/RIF is one of the fastest methods for identifying tuberculosis and its resistance to rifampicin, providing results in as little as 2 hours. The test involves amplification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis genetic material in a closed system, minimizing the risk of contamination and increasing result reliability.

• The analysis is performed on sputum and other clinical specimens (e.g., body fluids, biopsies)
• The fully automated system eliminates the need for multi-step laboratory processing
• The test detects the presence of tuberculosis bacilli and mutations associated with rifampicin resistance
• Rapid results allow for immediate initiation of an appropriate treatment regimen