Diagnostic value of Line Probe Assay in Childhood Tuberculosis

Objective- This study was conducted in children with tuberculosis (TB) to compare the diagnostic yield of Genotype LPA assay and its comparison with MGIT culture in various body fluids and also to detect drug resistance using LPA. Methods -Children less than 18 years diagnosed as TB were included in the study. Body fluids obtained from these subjects were processed for LPA assay and MGIT culture and. Drug resistance was detected using LPA. Results - 80 TB cases were registered. LPA in showed a high sensitivity of 91.1 % and specificity of 75 %. High MDR TB (44 %) was detected using LPA. Conclusion- Genotype LPA can serve as a reliable tool of clinical utility for diagnosis of TB and detection of drug resistance.