Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Laboratory diagnosis may involve microbiological, molecular, and microscopic approaches depending on the clinical presentation and specimen available.
Rapid molecular testing can be particularly useful when tuberculosis is clinically suspected and timely treatment decisions are important, since molecular assays can detect the organism and, depending on the assay, provide information about selected drug-resistance markers.
At National Path Lab (NPL), comprehensive tuberculosis diagnostic testing is available, including AFB smear, mycobacterial culture, molecular testing, and drug-resistance testing.
- Tests available
- 5
- Tests available
- Health package
- 1
- Health package
Tests Available at NPL
AFB STAIN, SPUTUM
SAMPLE DAILY BY 7:00 PM REPORT ON NEXT DAY EVENING
Rs. 300
MYCOBACTERIUM TB PCR
SAMPLE BY MON/WED/FRI 8:00 AM REPORT ON SAME DAY LATE EVENING
Rs. 3600
QUANTIFERON®-TB GOLD (QFT)/TB-IGRA (INTERFERON GAMMA RELEASE ASSAY)
SAMPLE BY SAT TO THU 3:00 PM REPORT ON NEXT DAY LATE EVENING
Rs. 5000
GENEXPERT MTB PCR WITH RIFAMPICIN RESISTANCE
SAMPLE DAILY BY 7:00 PM REPORT AFTER 7 DAYS
Rs. 4600
CULTURE AFB MYCOBACTERIUM
SAMPLE DAILY BY 12:00 PM, REPORT AFTER 6 WEEKS.
Rs. 2500
About Tuberculosis
diagnostic pathway.
Because TB treatment is prolonged and drug resistance has serious public health implications, drug-resistance testing is an important complement to organism detection, helping ensure the correct treatment regimen is selected from the outset where resistance testing is performed.
In practice, these investigations are often used together rather than as alternatives — a rapid molecular result can guide immediate treatment decisions while culture confirms the diagnosis and, where needed, provides more detailed drug-susceptibility information.
Tests Available at NPL
Test Code | Test | Clinical Relevance |
M0013 | AFB Smear | A rapid microscopic test that can provide an initial indication of mycobacteria, though with lower sensitivity than culture or molecular testing. |
OS072 | Mycobacterial Culture | The gold-standard confirmatory test, though it can take several weeks to yield results due to the slow growth of the organism. |
N0009 | MYCOBACTERIUM TB PCR | Detects Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex genetic material, providing faster results than culture. |
I0129 | QUANTIFERON®-TB GOLD (QFT)/TB-IGRA (INTERFERON GAMMA RELEASE ASSAY) |
|
OS099 | GENEXPERT MTB PCR WITH RIFAMPICIN RESISTANC |
|
Most infectious-disease molecular tests and microbiological investigations do not require fasting. However, some blood tests ordered at the same time may have specific preparation requirements. Please follow the instructions provided by your doctor or NPL.
Home Sample Collection
Sputum sample collection for TB testing can, in many cases, be arranged through NPL's home sample collection service — our team will provide a proper collection container and instructions for producing an adequate sputum sample.
In some cases, your doctor may request the sample be collected under supervision at a clinic to ensure sample adequacy, particularly if a home-collected sample is inadequate.
Blood samples for accompanying tests can also be collected at home.
Reports are delivered securely to your treating doctor and to you, with turnaround time depending on the specific test — culture results take considerably longer than smear or molecular testing.
When to See a Doctor
• Cough lasting more than 2–3 weeks
• Coughing up blood, at any point
• Unexplained fever, night sweats, or weight loss
• Known close contact with a person with active TB
• Known TB with new or worsening symptoms despite treatment
Medical Disclaimer Laboratory tests support tuberculosis diagnosis but must be interpreted by a qualified doctor together with clinical presentation, chest imaging, and exposure history. This content is for general information only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. |