Genexpert MTB/RIF Resistance (Pulmonary) Test

• Rapid Diagnosis: Get results for TB and rifampicin resistance in under 2 hours, compared to weeks with traditional methods.
• Improved Treatment: Allows doctors to start appropriate TB treatment much sooner, leading to better outcomes.
• Identify Drug Resistance: Helps detect rifampicin resistance, a sign of potentially more difficult-to-treat multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB).
• Reduce Transmission Risk: Quicker diagnosis and treatment can help prevent the spread of TB to others.
• Avoid Unnecessary Treatment: A negative test result can help rule out TB and avoid unnecessary antibiotics.

Your doctor may recommend Genexpert MTB/RIF Resistance (Pulmonary) Test for you if he suspects that you have tuberculosis. The symptoms include:

• chronic cough that produces phlegm or sputum, sometimes blood – a cough that persists more than two weeks and worsens over a period of time
• fever
• chills
• night sweats
• unexplained weight loss
• exposure to a person with tuberculosis is considered a risk factor

The GeneXpert MTB/RIF Resistance (Pulmonary) Test detects two things:

• Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB): This is the bacteria that causes tuberculosis (TB). The test identifies the presence of MTB DNA in a sample, confirming or ruling out TB infection in the lungs.
• Rifampicin resistance: Rifampicin is a powerful antibiotic used to treat TB. The test checks for specific mutations in the bacteria's genes that indicate resistance to this drug. This information is critical for choosing the most effective TB treatment regimen.