Comparison of PNA probe-based real-time PCR and Cobas TaqMan MTB for detection of MTBC

We compared the sensitivities and specificities of peptide nucleic acid (PNA) probe-based real-time PCR (PNAqPCR™ TB/NTM) and Cobas TaqMan MTB assays for detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) in clinical specimens. A total of 425 clinical specimens including 360 respiratory specimens and 65 non-respiratory specimens were evaluated for comparative analysis. In respiratory specimens, the sensitivity of TaqMan MTB and PNAqPCR assay for detection of MTBC was 82.9% and 91.5%, respectively. In non-respiratory specimens, the sensitivity of the TaqMan MTB and PNAqPCR assay was 23.1% and 76.9%, respectively. Overall, the sensitivity and specificity of the TaqMan MTB assay for detection of MTBC was 76.9% and 100%, respectively. The PNAqPCR assay had a sensitivity and specificity of 90% and 99.7%, respectively.