BACKGROUND: Pulmonary tuberculosis remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Thailand. The microbiological detection of TB is important because of early and correct diagnosis, drug resistance testing and ensures that the effective treatment can be achieved and in a timely manner. Mycobacterial culture is the gold standard diagnostic test. Currently, a real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay, such as Allplex™ MTB/MDRe Detection, Seegene is commonly used.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the diagnosis value of the real-time multiplex PCR by using Allplex™ MTB/MDRe Detection kit to detect MTB from sputum specimens with a gold standard TB culture.

A retrospective study design of adult patients (> 15 years) with suspected pulmonary M. tuberculosis infection was conducted from January 2023 until October 2023, at Khon Kaen Hospital. Sample size was 101 cases. Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, negative predictive value (NPV), and positive predictive value (PPV) of Allplex™ MTB/MDRe Detection, each with its respective 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were analysed with compared to MTB culture as the gold standard.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Clinical suspected pulmonary M. tuberculosis infection
• Aged 15 years and older

Exclusion Criteria:

• Children under 15 years old
• Non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) detection

out patients clinic