Stool as Appropriate Sample for the Diagnosis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis by Gene Xpert Test

Background: Diagnosis of pediatric pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) is a challenge. Symptoms are nonspecific. Young children are unable to expectorate sputum samples; the procedures for obtaining respiratory samples are invasive. Thus Mycobacterium tuberculosis cultures and smears often are not performed. Stool samples were used as an alternative to respiratory samples for the diagnosis of pediatric PTB using stool Xpert MTB/RIF and its sensitivity for detecting the DNA of MTB in stool was determined. Methods: The study was a laboratory-based cross-sectional prospective design. Stool specimen was collected from PTB suspected children (Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA can be detected in stool using Xpert testing with a higher sensitivity. Therefore stool which can easily be obtained is an appropriate alternative sample for the diagnosis of PTB using Xpert assay for children unable to give respiratory samples. Furthermore Xpert turn round time is less than 2 hours.