Detection and Drug Resistance Analysis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Using GeneXpert in Mardan, KPK

Mycobacterium tuberculosis Using GeneXpert in Mardan, KPK

Abstract

Background: Tuberculosis is one of the most widespread infectious diseases in the world contributing to high morbidity and mortality. Pakistan ranks 5^th among the countries with the highest tuberculosis (TB) burden and 6^th among those with the highest drug-resistant TB including multi-drug resistant (MDR-TB) and extensively drug resistant (XDR-TB). The present study aims to evaluate GeneXpert-based detection and drug resistance analysis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in a tertiary care hospital of Mardan Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted to collect 96 sputum samples from pulmonary TB patients between 1^st January to 30^th April 2025. The sample were analyzed using GeneXpert following the standard protocol. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 25.0, and Chi-square tests were applied to assess associations, with a p-value < 0.05 considered significant.

Results: Out of 96 samples, 69 (71.9%) were tested positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Among the positive cases 67 % were identified as multi-drug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) while 33% were extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB). The Gene Xpert (PCR) demonstrated different sensitivity in detecting drug resistance of 29% for fluroquinolone, 6.0% for ethambutol, 3.0% for kanamycin, 3.0 % for Amikacin and 60% for Isoniazid. The Chi-square test revealed a significant association between drug resistance patterns and TB types (χ² = 15.8, p = 0.003). 

Conclusion: The high prevalence of drug-resistant TB in Pakistan highlights the urgent need for continuous surveillance and universal drug susceptibility testing. These findings highlight the ongoing challenge of drug-resistant TB in the region and emphasize the importance of rapid molecular diagnostic tools like GeneXpert for early detection and management.