A Comparative Study between AFB Smear Microscopy (Ziehl-Nelsen) and Gene-Expert Technique in the Diagnosis of Tuberculosis

Abstract

611 samples were collected and tested for AFB using the Zeihl-Neelsen technique. Of the 611 samples tested, 525 were negative with Ziehl-Neelsen AFB smear microscopy. The 525 negative samples were tested using the genexpert technique. 53 out of the 525 samples were positive with genexpert with a percentage positivity rate of 10.1%. The data analysis was done using the student’s t-test. There was a significant difference between the sensitivity of Ziehl-neelsen technique when compared with genexpert technique (t= 3.32; p&lt; 0.05). Hence, there was a demonstrated increase in laboratory based TB detection using Xpert MTB/Rif compared to smear microscopy (ziehl-neelsen).</jats:p