Expedited diagnosis of Pediatric Tuberculosis using Truenat MTB-Rif Dx and GeneXpert MTB/RIF

Abstract Rapid, cost-effective, and sensitive diagnostic assays are essential for global tuberculosis (TB) control, especially in high TB burden, resource-limited settings. The current study was designed to evaluate diagnostic accuracy of Truenat MTB-Rif Dx (MolBio) in children less than 18 years of age, with symptoms suggestive of TB. Gastric Aspirate, Induced Sputum, and Broncho-alveolar Lavage samples were subjected simultaneously to AFB-smear, GeneXpert MTB/RIF (GX), liquid culture (MGIT-960) and Truenat MTB-Rif Dx (TN). The index-test results were evaluated against microbiological reference standards (MRS). TN had a sensitivity of 56.1%, specificity of 92.3% against MRS. Sensitivity and specificity of the two tests against liquid culture was 58.3% and 88.3% for TN and 53.6% and 91.9% for GX, respectively. Both GX and TN performed at par. Current study demonstrates that TN can aid early, efficient diagnosis of TB in children.