Resumen

MEDEROS CUERVO, Lilian María et al. Applicability of the molecular tool GeneXpert MTB/RIF for the diagnosis of Tuberculosis. Rev. CENIC Cienc. Biol [online]. 2020, vol.51, n.3, pp.173-180.  Epub 01-Dic-2020. ISSN 2221-2450.

In infections caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), the clinical evolution is dissimilar, so it is important to achieve a quick and correct diagnosis, it is necessary to implement new diagnostic tools. In the present study, a comparison was made between the molecular technique GeneXpert MTB / RIF, an important diagnostic tool that also allows the detection of sensitivity and / or resistance to Rifampicin, and the established conventional diagnostic techniques; smear microscopy (BK) and culture in Löwenstein-Jensen (L-J), to demonstrate its diagnostic applicability from clinical samples. 287 samples from symptomatic patients were analyzed, 146 (50.9%) were HIV / AIDS patients. The highest percentage of Mtb detection was obtained by the GeneXpert MTB / RIF molecular technique, however, if we observe the difference between the percentage obtained by Xpert MTB / RIF and the bacteriological culture, it was not statistically significant, obtaining a value of p = 0.2324. It is important to note that Xpert MTB / RIF allowed us to detect resistance to Rifampicin in 3 patients. The BK was the technique that obtained the lowest percentage of positivity. This study reaffirmed the applicability of this molecular tool for the diagnosis of TB in both pulmonary and extrapulmonary samples; the shortening of the diagnostic time allows the clinician to start specific treatment, avoiding the spread of the infection in the patient.

Palabras clave : GeneXpert MTB / RIF; HIV / AIDS; Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

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