Novel automated AIMLAM for diagnosis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Abstract

Aim: A rapid and precise diagnostic method is crucial for timely intervention and management of tuberculosis. The present study compared the diagnostic accuracy of a novel lipoarabinomannan (LAM) antigen test, AIMLAM, for tuberculosis in urine samples. Methodology: The study subjected 106 TB suspects to smear microscopy, MGIT, GeneXpert and AIMLAM. Results: Among 106, smear microscopy identified 36 as positive (33%) (sensitivity; 70.93%, 95% CI (60.14–80.22%), while MGIT showed 38 positive (36.8%). GeneXpert detected 59 positives (sensitivity; 96.83, 95% CI (89.00–99.61%)). AIMLAM declared 61 as positive (57.5%) (sensitivity; 100.00, 95% CI (94.13–100.00%) and 45 as negative (42.5%). Conclusion: Overall, AIMLAM demonstrated better diagnostic accuracy than GeneXpert Assay, smear microscopy and MGIT liquid culture in urine samples.