Comparison of Ziehl-Neelsen Microscopy Technique and Genexpert in the Diagnosis of Tuberculosis in Sudanese Patients

Aim: The quality of tuberculosis diagnosis service is indispensable for early infection control and preventing unnecessary anti-tubercular therapy use. TB in Sudan mainly relies on detecting tubercule bacilli using the Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) staining technique. Thus, current study aimed to compare ZN microscopy with GeneXpert diagnosing pulmonary (PTB) laboratories center Khartoum state, Sudan. Methods: A cross-sectional was carried out at state from April 2019 January 2020. total 183 sputum samples were processed examined by Ziel-Neelsen technique assay detection tubercle bacilli. Results: Out analyzed, 80.9% AFB smear-positive, which 65.6% male patients. Most patients (57.4%) within age group 20 – 39 years old. All smear-positive detected positive Mycobacterium GeneXpert. However, one case PTB given a negative result These results demonstrate that crucial confirming cases avoid drug Conclusion: can false positivity, may lead misuse anti-tuberculosis drugs. test should also be confirmed culture techniques. Keywords: tuberculosis, Tuberculosis, GeneXpert, stain