MTB - Xpert Combo Panel, Pulmonary

Tuberculosis (TB) is a serious infectious disease that most often affects the lungs. It is caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB). A major challenge in treating TB is the rise of drug-resistant strains, which do not respond to standard medications.

The MTB - Xpert Combo Panel, Pulmonary uses advanced molecular technology to quickly find the genetic material of the TB bacteria in a sputum (phlegm) sample. A key feature of this panel is its ability to also detect if the bacteria are resistant to rifampicin, which is one of the most important and a first-line drug used to treat TB. This information is crucial for doctors to start the right treatment as soon as possible, helping to improve the patient’s chances of a full recovery and preventing the spread of drug-resistant TB.

Your doctor may order the MTB - Xpert Combo Panel, Pulmonary if you have symptoms of TB, such as a long-lasting cough, fever, night sweats, or unexplained weight loss. It is a more accurate and faster option compared to older tests.

Collect sputum in a sterile, leak-proof container with a screw-cap lid. Before collecting the sample, rinse your mouth with clean water. Take two to three deep breaths, then cough deeply to bring up sputum from the lungs. Ensure you collect at least 2 ml of thick, yellowish (mucopurulent) sputum. Avoid collecting only saliva or nasal secretions. As per National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) guidelines, testing requires two sputum samples. This may include a spot and early morning sample collected on consecutive days, or two spot samples collected one hour apart, for accurate diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB).

Test result ranges are approximate and may vary slightly between laboratories, depending on the methods and guidelines used. Do not self-medicate, and always consult a doctor to understand the test results correctly.

Please note: This is an outsourced test. The sample is collected by TATA 1MG and processed at a NABL accredited partnered lab.