Rapid, cost-effective, and sensitive diagnostic assays are essential for global tuberculosis (TB) control, especially in high TB burden, resource-limited settings. The current study was designed to evaluate diagnostic accuracy of Truenat MTB-Rif Dx (MolBio) in children less than 18 years of age, with symptoms suggestive of TB. Gastric aspirate, induced sputum, and broncho-alveolar lavage samples were subjected simultaneously to AFB-smear, GeneXpert MTB/RIF, liquid culture (MGIT-960) and Truenat MTB-Rif Dx. The index-test results were evaluated against microbiological reference standards (MRS). Truenat MTB-Rif Dx had a sensitivity of 57.1%, specificity of 92% against MRS. The sensitivity and specificity of the Truenat MTB-RIF Dx compared with liquid culture was 58.7% and 87.5% while GeneXpert MTB/RIF was 56% and 91.4%. The performance of both GeneXpert MTB/RIF and Truenat MTB-Rif Dx are comparable. Result of our study demonstrates that Truenat MTB-Rif can aid in early and efficient diagnosis of TB in children.

快速、经济且灵敏的诊断检测对于全球结核病 (TB) 控制至关重要，尤其是在结核病高负担、资源有限的环境中。目前的研究旨在评估 Truenat MTB-Rif Dx (MolBio) 对 18 岁以下有结核病症状的儿童的诊断准确性。胃抽吸物、诱导痰和支气管肺泡灌洗样本同时进行 AFB 涂片、GeneXpert MTB/RIF、液体培养 (MGIT-960) 和 Truenat MTB-Rif Dx。指标测试结果根据微生物参考标准 (MRS) 进行评估。Truenat MTB-Rif Dx 对 MRS 的敏感性为 57.1%，特异性为 92%。与液体培养相比，Truenat MTB-RIF Dx 的灵敏度和特异性分别为 58.7% 和 87.5%，而 GeneXpert MTB/RIF 分别为 56% 和 91.4%。GeneXpert MTB/RIF 和 Truenat MTB-Rif Dx 的性能相当。我们的研究结果表明，Truenat MTB-Rif 可以帮助早期有效地诊断儿童结核病。