Abstract
Cities witnessing mass-gathering events, such as Kerbala-Iraq, are peculiar in
respect to their needs in controlling tuberculosis. DOTS was implemented in
Kerbala almost two decades ago. GeneXpert MTB/RIF assay is adopted in the hope
to escalate case detection rates, however, its performance is not evaluated yet.
Records of 3254 patients suspected to have pulmonary TB whom they referred to
the chest and Respiratory illnesses center of Kerbala governorate were analyzed.
The overall trends of TB detection rates showed declining pattern over the year
before the adoption of GeneXpert MTB/RIF. In the year of adoption of Xpert
MTB/RIF, the detection rates raised, then after declined again. The GeneXpert
MTB/RIF has added 17.7% increase in detectionrates.
In conclusion: GeneXpertMTP/RIF usage had strengthen case detection rates
especially for smear-negative cases.
Keywords: Tuberculosis, Genexpert, Case detection rates.
