Usage of Cartridge Based Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (CB-NAAT/GeneXpert) test as diagnostic modality for pediatric tuberculosis; case series from Mangalore, South India

BACKGROUND: Diagnosis of Tuberculosis in children is challenging. Hereby we report a case series of 4 patients where Cartridge Based Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (CB NAAT) helped us in early diagnosis. CASE CHARACTERISTICS: was a 3- month old child who presented with severe respiratory distress of 11 days duration. Chest x-ray showed miliary mottling; CB-NAAT of gastric lavage was positive. CONCLUSION: CB-NAAT testing was very useful in making an early and definitive diagnosis of tuberculosis, including MDR-TB.