Uchenna Nwanneka Igwebike, Boniface Okon Ekpo, Frank Akpuaka, Chukwudi Onyeaghana Okani, Obiageli Fidelia Emelumadu, Chijioke Amara Ezenyaku and Chinelo Cynthia Nduka
Citation: Uchenna Nwanneka Igwebike, Boniface Okon Ekpo, Frank Akpuaka, Chukwudi Onyeaghana Okani, Obiageli Fidelia Emelumadu, Chijioke Amara Ezenyaku and Chinelo Cynthia Nduka (2025) Gene xpert outcomes of adult presumptive pulmonary tuberculosis patients in Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (Nauth) Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria. Frontline Professionals Journal 2(2), 47- 61
ABSTRACT
Background: Tuberculosis (TB) and drug-resistant TB are public health issues in Nigeria. Gene Xpert assay is currently used to detect TB and multidrug-resistant/rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis (MDR/RR-TB). This study assessed the Gene Xpert outcomes of adult presumptive pulmonary tuberculosis patients in NAUTH Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria.
Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among 180 adult presumptive pulmonary tuberculosis patients aged ≥ 18 years who presented to the TB centre, NAUTH Nnewi between June and September 2024. A semi-structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to obtain data, while sputum samples were examined using Gene Xpert assay. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.
Results: Ninety-five (52.8%) of the respondents were males. Their mean age was 40.46 ± 15.72 years. Out of the 180 sputum samples, 63(35.0%) had Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) detected using Gene Xpert assay; out of the 63 MTB-positive sputum samples, 6(9.5%) were resistant to rifampicin, 60.3% were not resistant to rifampicin, while 30.2% were indeterminate.
Conclusion: TB and MDR/RR-TB are public health issues in the study area.The use of improved diagnostic tests like the Gene Xpert MTB/RIF assay should be scaled up at each point of care in the State to improve case detection.
Keywords: Gene Xpert assay, Presumptive TB, Pulmonary TB, Adult.