Abstract

ASSESSING TUBERCULOSIS EPIDEMIOLOGY IN RAIPUR'S ELDERLY POPULATION: A PROSPECTIVE STUDY COMPARING CBNAAT AND AFB TESTING

Karan Sahu, *Shishir Vind Sharma, Prasanna Kumar Sharma, Shilpa Sharma, Shubhra Sharma and Loknath Deshmukh

ABSTRACT

This study explores aging impact on immune function and its correlation with tuberculosis in Raipur, Chhattisgarh. Aging leads to a gradual decline in immune function, significantly affecting health. Tuberculosis, primarily affecting the lungs, is a major global health concern and ranks second among communicable diseases worldwide. The research assessed immune system efficiency in Raipur's elderly population against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. An epidemiological survey collected sputum samples from suspected tuberculosis patients in selected areas, with acid-fast staining used to determine tuberculosis status. Results showed higher tuberculosis prevalence among the elderly, linked to age-related declines in pulmonary function. Additionally, research at Raipur Institute of Medical Sciences & Medical College Hospital focused on early tuberculosis diagnosisusing Acid Fast Staining (AFB) and Cartridge-Based Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (CBNAAT). Findings revealed discrepancies between AFB and CBNAAT results; some patients tested positive in one method and negative in the other. Specifically, 10 samples initially positive in AFB were negative in CBNAAT, and vice versa. The discrepancies highlight challenges in accurate tuberculosis diagnosis, including procedural errors and test sensitivity. While CBNAAT offers speed and accuracy, its reliability as tuberculosis confirmatory test requires further investigation. Future research should refine diagnostic methods to ensure timely and effective TUBERCULOSIS treatment.

Keywords: Mycobacterium Tuberculosis, Cartridge-Based Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (CBNAAT), Acid Fast Staining (AFB), Epidemiology, Aging, TB Diagnosis.