Application of CBNAAT (Xpert MTB/RIF assay) in new smear negative pulmonary tuberculosis patients.

Presumptive pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) patients whose sputum are detected to be smear negative for acid fast bacilli (AFB) present a significant challenge for a treating physician. Initiating these patients on anti tuberculous treatment (ATT) on empirical basis is not a good strategy as many were found to be sputum culture for tuberculosis negative on further evaluation according to many previous studies. In India due to resource limited settings and lack of knowledge about newest diagnostic modalities patients are often initiated only on the basis of characteristic clinical symptoms and chest radiographic abnormalities.