A CBNAAT (Cartridge-Based Nucleic Acid Amplification Test) machine was commissioned at the Perambalur Government Headquarters Hospital here on Wednesday.
Cartridge-Based Nucleic Acid Amplification Test detects the presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacilli DNA, and also gives the sensitivity profile of Rifampicin (RIF), a main first-line TB drug, in sputum specimens in just two hours.
The rapid diagnosis of tuberculosis and detection of RIF resistance would mean that treatment decisions of patients can be made quickly.
Patients resistant to RIF can be immediately put on second-line drugs to treat drug-resistant TB.
In the absence of the facility, sputum samples from the hospital were hitherto sent to Chennai or Puducherry for the test.
S.Vanoli, Joint director of Health (in-charge), inaugurated the facility at the TB ward of the hospital in the presence of hospital superintendent Sasikala.
