Screening and Diagnostic Technology in NTEP

Screening technology in NTEP: 

• Sputum smear microscopy

• Chest X-ray   

• Tuberculin Skin Test (TST) 

• Histopathology and other tissue-based tests

Diagnostic Technology in NTEP: 

Tools for microbiological confirmation of Tuberculosis (TB) under the programme. Acceptable methods for microbiological diagnosis of TB are:  

• Sputum Smear Microscopy (for AFB) 

1. Zeihl-Neelsen Staining 

2. Fluorescence staining  

• Culture:  

1. Solid (Lowenstein Jensen) media  

2. Automated Liquid culture systems e.g., BACTEC MGIT 960, BacT Alert or Versatrek etc. 

• Drug Sensitivity Testing:  

1. Modified Proportionate Sensitivity Testing (PST) for MGIT 960 system  

2. Economic variant of Proportion sensitivity testing (1%) using LJ medium  

• Rapid molecular diagnostic tests: 

1. Line Probe Assay (LPA) for MTB complex and detection of RIF & INH resistance (FL LPA) and FQ and SLI resistance (SL LPA)  

2. Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT) (CBNAAT/Truenat) 

Supportive tools for the clinical diagnosis of TB: 

1. Chest X-ray and other radiological tests  

2. Tuberculin Skin Test (TST) 

3. Interferon Gamma Release Assay (IGRA) and other blood tests 

4. Histopathology and other tissue-based tests 

Resource: 

TRAINING MODULES (1-4) FOR PROGRAMME MANAGERS AND MEDICAL OFFICERS Central TB Division, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India 2020 

Assessment: