Evaluation of Different Diagnostic Methods of Tuberculosis in Assiut University Hospitals

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease of global public health importance caused by the M. tuberculosis complex. Alarmingly, the disease has worsened with the emergence of multidrug-resistant strains of tuberculosis (MDR-TB).

Annually, it is estimated that approximately 450,000 new cases of MDR-TB occur according to a report from 2021.

There is an alarming increase in the global incidence rate of tuberculosis in the year 2021 after covid-19 pandemic, reversing the downward trend maintained in previous decades. In parallel, there is a rise in cases of drug-resistant tuberculosis.

Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment of tuberculosis are essential public health priorities. In this context, microbiology laboratories play a vital role in the rapid and accurate detection of tuberculosis and drug resistance.

Accurate and prompt diagnosis of TB is essential for the control and management of the disease, but there are numerous factors that affect the effectiveness of this process. These problems include the difficulty of correctly diagnosing latent and active forms of TB, the lack of precise protocols for different types of TB, and the difficulty of accessing diagnostic facilities in regions with limited resources.

Laboratory diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis is essential in combating the disease, with a significant role in patient management and isolation of contagious cases. In many developing countries with a high incidence of TB, advanced diagnostic methods and drug susceptibility testing are rarely available.

Given its substantial influence on global health, it is imperative that the investigators continue researching and developing innovative techniques and technologies to better the detection and treatment of tuberculosis.

In our study, the investigators try to compare between different available tests to diagnose TB for better treatment and health care service.

• *Assess the prevalence of tuberculosis cases among clinically suspected cases admitted to the hospital throughout the selected study period. [Срок оценки: two years]