What question did this study set out to answer?

This study aims to assess the effectiveness of RT-PCR in diagnosing infectious diseases, focusing on Nontuberculous Mycobacteria in Bangladesh.

June 29, 2026Open Access

Utilizing RT-PCR for infectious disease diagnosis with emphasis on non-tuberculous mycobacteria in Bangladesh, 2019–2024

MSMd. Abu SayemUniversity of Rajshahi MHMd. Akram HossainApollo Hospitals MSMd. Abdus SalamRajshahi Medical College

Key Points

This study aims to assess the effectiveness of RT-PCR in diagnosing infectious diseases, focusing on Nontuberculous Mycobacteria in Bangladesh.
Retrospective analysis of 786 RT-PCR tested samples from Apollo Imperial Hospitals, Bangladesh (2019-2024).
Analyzed associations between positivity and socio-demographic/clinical factors using chi-square and binary logistic regression.
Examined various sample types, including blood, tissue, and sputum, to evaluate diagnostic performance.
Overall positivity rate of 12.7%, with Mycobacteria detection at 6.4% including NTM (3.5%) and MTB (2.9%).
Significant differences found in positivity associated with gender, sample type, and type of pathogen tested (adjusted OR: 0.16, 95% CI: 0.03–0.87; P < 0.05).
RT-PCR demonstrated high sensitivity (up to 95%) and specificity (up to 100%) for infectious disease diagnostics.

Abstract

Advanced diagnostics like reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) improve accuracy, limit infectious disease transmission and decrease mortality. This study evaluated the utility of RT-PCR for detecting infectious agents, including Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), to guide clinical decision-making. This retrospective study analyzed infectious disease data from Apollo Imperial Hospitals Ltd., Chattogram, Bangladesh from June 2019 to July 2024. Of 810 anonymized records extracted from the molecular biology laboratory, 786 samples with complete diagnostic information undergoing RT-PCR testing were included. Associations between positivity and socio-demographic/clinical factors (e.g., gender, sample type, pathogen tested) were analyzed using chi-square tests and binary logistic regression. Among 786 patients, the mean age and SD was 38.8 ± 19.3 years with 87.1% adults or elderly (> 60 years old), and 53.7% were female. Samples comprised blood (31.6%), tissue (27.2%), body fluids (19.3%), swabs (8.1%), sputum (6.1%), pus (4.8%), and urine (2.8%). Overall, 100 (12.7%) specimens were positive by RT-PCR. Mycobacteria were detected in 6.4%, including Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB; 2.9%) and nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM; 3.5%). The gender and clinical samples had significant difference with unadjusted OR, while pathogens were significantly associated with tests results (adjusted OR: 0.16, 95% CI: 0.03–0.87; P < 0.05) respectively. Male patients and specimens tested for respiratory pathogen panel (RPP) had higher odds of positivity, while body fluid, tissue, HPV/HSV, and Mycobacterial samples had lower odds of positivity. RT-PCR is a reliable diagnostic tool with higher sensitivity (up to 95%) and specificity (up to 100%) for infectious diseases, with potential for greater optimization in Bangladesh, especially for NTM detection. Improved specimen selection and clinical practices can enhance positivity rates and reduce costs. The NTP should prioritize better NTM detection to prevent misdiagnosis and improper treatment. WHO global report on tuberculosis should highlight NTM to guide policy and management strategies. Not applicable.

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