COMPARISON OF GeneXpert MTB/RIF ASSAY WITH CONVENTIONAL AFB SMEAR FOR DIAGNOSIS OF PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS IN NORTHEASTERN THAILAND.

Among infectious agents, Mycobacterium tuberculosis remains one of the most significant causes of death worldwide. Rapid and accurate diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) remains a great challenge. GeneXpert MTB/RIF assay is a novel integrated diagnostic system for rapid diagnosis of TB and particularly of rifampicin-resistant strains.