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AFB-Xpert panel (M.Tb Detection & Rifamipicin resistance) by CBNAAT - Extra pulmonary samples
Lung
Report in 48Hrs
At Home
No Fasting Required
Details
WHO-endorsed rapid diagnostic test for tuberculosis (TB), especially extrapulmonary TB where traditional methods often fail.
₹3,381₹4,321
22% OFF
AFB-Xpert panel (M.Tb Detection & Rifamipicin resistance) by CBNAAT - Extra pulmonary samples
- Why is it done?
- Rapid detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.Tb) in extra pulmonary specimens using molecular testing (CBNAAT - Cartridge Based Nucleic Acid Amplification Test)
- Simultaneous detection of rifampin resistance, which indicates possible Multi-Drug Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB)
- Diagnosis of extrapulmonary TB from samples such as cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), lymph node aspirates, joint fluid, pericardial fluid, abdominal fluid, blood, and other body fluids
- Provides results within 2 hours, enabling rapid diagnosis and initiation of appropriate TB treatment
- Indicated in patients with suspected extrapulmonary TB including TB meningitis, TB lymphadenitis, TB arthritis, and disseminated TB
- Useful in immunocompromised patients, including those with HIV/AIDS where extrapulmonary TB is common
- Normal Range
- M.Tb Detection: NEGATIVE/NOT DETECTED - Indicates absence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA in the sample
- Rifampin Resistance: NOT DETECTED/SUSCEPTIBLE - Indicates susceptibility to rifampin; bacteria are sensitive to the drug
- Result Categories:
- • NEGATIVE (Normal): No M.Tb detected; excludes active TB disease
- • POSITIVE (Abnormal): M.Tb detected; confirms TB disease
- • RIFAMPIN RESISTANT (Abnormal): M.Tb detected with RIF resistance; indicates MDR-TB; requires second-line drugs
- • INVALID/INDETERMINATE: Test failed; repeat testing recommended
- No quantitative values are reported; results are qualitative (presence or absence of M.Tb and RIF resistance)
- Interpretation
- M.Tb NOT DETECTED & RIF Susceptible:
- No evidence of active TB in the collected specimen
- Alternative diagnoses should be considered
- False negatives possible if specimen quality is poor or bacillary load is very low
- M.Tb DETECTED & RIF Susceptible:
- Confirms diagnosis of extrapulmonary TB
- Indicates drug-susceptible TB (DS-TB); standard first-line anti-TB therapy is appropriate
- Immediate initiation of anti-TB treatment (RIPE regimen) recommended
- M.Tb DETECTED & RIF RESISTANT:
- Confirms extrapulmonary TB with probable MDR-TB (Multi-Drug Resistant TB)
- Requires immediate isolation and switch to second-line anti-TB drugs (fluoroquinolones, injectable agents, bedaquiline, linezolid)
- Requires drug susceptibility testing (DST) for isoniazid and other agents to confirm MDR-TB and guide treatment
- Factors Affecting Results:
- Specimen quality and quantity - poor samples may yield false negatives
- Bacillary load - extrapulmonary samples often have lower bacterial counts than sputum
- Proper sample collection and processing - critical for accuracy
- Contamination - may affect result interpretation
- Prior anti-TB treatment - may reduce bacterial detection
- Clinical Significance:
- Sensitivity for extrapulmonary TB ranges from 55-80% depending on specimen type (CSF has higher sensitivity than other fluids)
- Specificity is >99%, making positive results highly reliable for TB diagnosis
- Rapid turnaround time enables prompt diagnosis and treatment initiation
- Rifampin resistance detection is highly accurate for predicting MDR-TB status
- M.Tb NOT DETECTED & RIF Susceptible:
- Associated Organs
- Primary Systems Involved:
- Central Nervous System (CNS) - particularly in TB meningitis
- Lymphatic system - TB lymphadenitis
- Skeletal system - TB arthritis, osteomyelitis
- Cardiovascular system - TB pericarditis
- Gastrointestinal system - TB peritonitis, abdominal TB
- Genitourinary system - TB of kidney, bladder
- Common Diseases Associated with Abnormal Results:
- Tuberculous meningitis (TB meningitis) - life-threatening CNS infection with high mortality
- Tuberculous lymphadenitis - chronic lymph node inflammation
- Poncet's disease (TB arthritis) - joint tuberculosis
- Tuberculous pericarditis - cardiac TB with potential for tamponade
- Tuberculous peritonitis - abdominal TB
- Disseminated TB - widespread multiorgan disease
- MDR-TB and XDR-TB infections - drug-resistant TB requiring specialized treatment
- Potential Complications of Abnormal Results:
- TB meningitis - hydrocephalus, neurological deficits, permanent disability, death
- Pericarditis - cardiac tamponade, constrictive pericarditis
- Peritonitis - abdominal complications, malnutrition, bowel obstruction
- Joint TB - permanent joint damage, functional impairment
- MDR-TB complications - prolonged treatment, higher mortality, treatment failure
- Disseminated disease - multi-organ involvement, severe immunocompromised state risk
- Primary Systems Involved:
- Follow-up Tests
- Tests Recommended for Positive M.Tb Results:
- Culture of M.Tb - gold standard for diagnosis, allows drug susceptibility testing (DST)
- Drug Susceptibility Testing (DST) - determines sensitivity to first-line drugs (isoniazid, rifampin, ethambutol, pyrazinamide) and second-line drugs
- Line Probe Assay (LPA) - rapid detection of MDR-TB and XDR-TB
- Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) - comprehensive drug resistance profiling
- Confirmatory and Diagnostic Tests:
- AFB (Acid-Fast Bacilli) Microscopy - conventional staining and microscopic examination
- TB-LAMP (Loop-mediated isothermal amplification) - alternative molecular test if CBNAAT unavailable
- Histopathology - biopsy showing granulomatous inflammation, supportive of TB diagnosis
- Tests for Differential Diagnosis (if CBNAAT Negative):
- CSF Analysis (protein, glucose, cell count) - for TB meningitis suspicion
- Fluid Analysis (peritoneal, pericardial, synovial) - evaluate for other inflammatory causes
- Interferon-Gamma Release Assay (IGRA) - tuberculin skin test (TST) or QuantiFERON Gold - assesses TB infection status
- Imaging (CT/MRI) - assess extent of disease involvement
- Baseline/Concurrent Testing:
- HIV Testing - extrapulmonary TB is common in HIV-positive patients
- CD4 count (if HIV positive) - assess immunological status
- Liver Function Tests (LFTs) - baseline assessment before anti-TB drug therapy
- Renal Function Tests - baseline assessment before anti-TB drug therapy
- Monitoring During Treatment:
- Repeat CBNAAT from new samples - to monitor treatment response (not for treatment adherence)
- Periodic clinical assessment - evaluate symptom resolution
- Imaging studies (CT/MRI) - assess radiological improvement at predetermined intervals
- Monthly LFTs and renal function - monitor for anti-TB drug toxicity
- Tests Recommended for Positive M.Tb Results:
- Fasting Required?
- NO - Fasting is not required for this test
- Reason: This test analyzes extrapulmonary clinical specimens (body fluids, tissue aspirates) collected directly from the affected site, not blood. Food or fluid intake does not affect specimen collection or test results.
- Sample Collection Instructions:
- Specimens collected using sterile technique by a qualified healthcare provider
- Types of specimens accepted:
- Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)
- Lymph node aspirates (FNA)
- Joint/synovial fluid
- Pericardial fluid
- Peritoneal fluid (ascitic fluid)
- Pleural fluid
- Tissue specimens/biopsy samples
- Blood (when indicated)
- Place specimen in sterile, leakproof container
- Do NOT add fixatives or preservatives unless specifically instructed
- Minimum volume: 1-2 mL (varies by specimen type)
- Process and transport to laboratory within 2 hours at room temperature or refrigerate if delay anticipated
- Medications:
- No medications need to be stopped or avoided specifically for this test
- If patient is already on anti-TB treatment, inform the laboratory as this may affect result interpretation
- Antibiotics taken prior to sampling may reduce bacterial recovery
- Other Patient Preparation:
- No special preparation required for the patient
- Specimen collection procedure will vary based on specimen type and site
- For invasive procedures (lumbar puncture, aspiration, biopsy), informed consent required
- Fasting may be required only if the collection procedure involves general anesthesia (as per anesthesia protocols)
How our test process works!

