GeneXpert MTB/RIF Assay and Conventional Microscopy in Tuberculosis among Silicosis Patients of Western Rajasthan

Author(s)	Ms. Kusum Lata Lodha, Prof. Dr. Prabhu Prakash, Dr. Ashok Kuwal
Country	India
Abstract	Tuberculosis remains a major public health challenge in silicosis patients due to altered lung pathology and low bacillary load, leading to diagnostic difficulties. To study detection of MTB by Microscopy (ZN &FM) and molecular detection by CBNAAT in silico tuberculosis patients. A total of 410 patients were included, predominantly male (96.34%), with a higher representation from rural areas (71.46%). ZN microscopy revealed acid-fast bacilli in only 14.88% of cases, with 85.12% remaining smear-negative because of its limited sensitivity, and FM demonstrated improved detection, with 37.32% positivity across varying smear grades. CBNAAT detected MTB in 55.85% of cases. Among CBNAAT-positive samples, rifampicin sensitivity was observed in 85.15%, while 14.84% showed resistance. Of the resistant cases, medium-level resistance was most common (50%), followed by high-level resistance (38.23%). Our findings highlight the superior sensitivity of CBNAAT in silico tuberculosis and reinforce its routine use for early diagnosis and drug-resistance detection.
Keywords	ZN,FM, CBNAAT,MTB
Field	Medical / Pharmacy
Published In	Volume 8, Issue 5, September-October 2026
Published On	2026-10-24
DOI	https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2026.v08i05.90322

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