GENE-XPERT DETECTION OF MYCOBACTERIUM TUBERCULOSIS AMONG PATIENTS WITH SUSPECTED CASES OF PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS IN NATIONAL TUBERCULOSIS AND LEPROSY TRAINING CENTER AND REFERRAL HOSPITAL, SAYE–ZARIA, NIGERIA *Abdullahi B., Shaibu M.A. and Jibrin A.U.

Abstract

Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent of tuberculosis, is one of the most ancient chronic infectious illnesses and the second greatest cause of infectious death worldwide, behind COVID-19. This study was conducted at the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Training Center and Referral Hospital, Saye, Zaria, Nigeria, with the intention of detecting Mycobacterium tuberculosis among patients with suspected cases of pulmonary tuberculosis. Gene-Xpert MTB/RIF assay was employed in detecting Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) and multi-drug resistant MTB. Thirty three (23.0%) of the 100 sputum samples obtained were positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Two (8.7%) of the 23 Mycobacterium tuberculosis were found to be MDR-MTB, while the remaining 21 (91.3%) were not. The study found that there were statistically significant differences in the age-based distribution of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection among the patients. Specifically, patients aged 2-25 years old had the highest rate of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection (33.3%), while patients aged 49-71 years old had the lowest rate (3.8%). The male patient population had a slightly higher prevalence of 23.1% than the female patient population of 22.9%, although the difference was not statistically significant (P=0.985). Based on the patients' marital status, there was a statistically significant (P = 0.003) difference in the infection distribution; the prevalence of the infection was higher in single (i.e., unmarried) patients—38.5%—than in married patients (13.1%). Malnutrition (P=0.000), cattle rearing (P=0.026, OR=4.028), and a history of tuberculosis (OR=1.362) are additional significant risk factors. Health facilities should use the GeneXpert assay to quickly diagnose tuberculosis and identify cases of multi-drug resistant TB. This will enable a more efficient and timely course of treatment.