TO STUDY THE USEFULNESS OF CBNAAT (CARTRIDGE BASED NUCLEAR ACID AMPLIFICATION TEST) IN BAL (BRONCHOALVEOLAR LAVAGE) SAMPLES IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF SMEAR-NEGATIVE/NON SPUTUM PRODUCING PATIENTS WITH SUSPECTED TUBERCULOSIS

Abstract

Sputum smear negative pulmonary tuberculosis remains a significant burden with a definite role in disease transmission too. They sometimes pose a diagnostic challenge to the treating physician. CBNAAT, a newly endorsed WHO technique, which not only detects the tubercle bacilli but also tells about the resistance to rifampicin, may have a role in sputum smear negative patients if bronchoalveolar lavage fluid is made available.