Comparison of a real-time polymerase chain reaction-based system and Erlich-Ziehl-Neelsen method with culture in the identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Abstract

Backgrund/aims: Mycobacterium tuberculosis is still a major health problem throughout the world, especially in developing countries. Disease control heavily depends on the establishment of early diagnosis. The aim of this study is to compare the efficacy of culture, GeneXpert MTB/RIF device, and Erlich-Ziehl-Neelsen direct microscopic method.