Role of Xpert MTB/RIF assay (Gene Xpert) in diagnosing tuberculosis in elderly patients - A hospital based study

Raj Kishor Sharma¹, Namrata Kumari², Rakesh Kumar³, Pallavi Priya⁴, Shailesh Kumar⁵, Shivendra Kumar Shahi^6
1 Junior Resident, Dept. of Microbiology, IGIMS, Patna, Bihar, India
² Professor, Dept. of Microbiology, IGIMS, Patna, Bihar, India
³ Associate Professor, Dept. of Microbiology, IGIMS, Patna, Bihar, India
⁴ Senior Resident, Dept. of Microbiology, IGIMS, Patna, Bihar, India
⁵ Additional Professor, Dept. of Microbiology, IGIMS, Patna, Bihar, India
⁶ Professor & Head, Dept. of Microbiology, IGIMS, Patna, Bihar, India

Correspondence Address:
Rakesh Kumar
Associate Professor, Dept. of Microbiology, IGIMS, Patna
India

Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None

1. To detect the prevalence of tuberculosis (TB) and drug resistant TB (DR-TB) among elderly.
2. To compare the role of molecular methods with conventional tests in diagnosis of tuberculosis in elderly patients.

1. Smear microscopy using Zeihl Neelsen (ZN) & Fluorescent staining
2. Xpert MTB/RIF assay (GeneXpert test)