Test Price
210 AED✅ Home Collection Available
Rapid AFB PNB Test for Mycobacterium tuberculosis Complex (MTBC) Identification – UAE | 210 AED | DHA Guidelines
Executive Summary & Core Metrics
Executive Summary
Accuracy Guarantee: 99.9% Diagnostic Sensitivity – results from ISO 9001:2015 accredited laboratory using automated fluorescent MGIT technology with PNB inhibition, eliminating biochemical ambiguity in just 15 days.
Premium Logistics: Temperature‑controlled cold‑chain home collection for initial sputum or tissue specimens (8 AM‑11 PM daily). The PNB test itself is performed on a pure AFB isolate cultured in our facility, ensuring seamless specimen continuity.
Clinical Guidance: Complimentary telephonic post‑test consultation with a DHA‑licensed general practitioner to help interpret MTBC vs. NTM differentiation and its impact on your treatment plan.
Insurance: Direct billing verification via WhatsApp at +971 54 548 8731 — we handle pre‑approvals with all major UAE networks.
ملخص تنفيذي: دقة تشخيصية 99.9% – عينة AFB نقية تُحلل بتقنية MGIT الفلورية الآلية مع تثبيط PNB خلال 15 يوماً. خدمة جمع منزلي للمسحات التنفسية أو الأنسجة (8 صباحاً – 11 مساءً) تحت سلسلة تبريد معتمدة، واستشارة هاتفية مجانية بعد النتيجة. التحقق من التأمين عبر واتساب.
Test Overview & Methodology
The Rapid AFB PNB Test is the gold‑standard molecular‑free method for distinguishing Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) from non‑tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) in a pure AFB isolate. In the UAE, where TB incidence is influenced by a highly mobile expatriate population, this 15‑day automated fluorescent test delivers definitive identification that directly guides public health notification and anti‑tubercular therapy, fully aligned with DHA End TB strategy.
| Feature | Our Test (Rapid PNB) | Closest Alternative (Biochemical ID) |
|---|---|---|
| Methodology | Automated Fluorescent MGIT with PNB inhibition (BACTEC™ MGIT™ 960) | Conventional Löwenstein‑Jensen + niacin/nitratase tests |
| Turnaround Time | 15 days from pure isolate receipt | 6 – 8 weeks |
| Diagnostic Specificity | 99.9% (WHO endorsed) | 89 – 94% |
| NTM Misidentification Risk | <0.1% | ≥6% |
| Price | 210 AED | 180 – 250 AED (avg.) |
Physician Insight & Safety Protocols
“Every positive AFB culture requires rapid species differentiation. The PNB inhibition test on our MGIT platform enables me to confidently distinguish MTBC from NTM within two weeks, avoiding unnecessary isolation and guiding timely anti‑tubercular therapy. However, a negative PNB result does not rule out TB in high‑risk patients — clinical correlation with imaging and symptoms remains essential.”
— Dr. Ajay Singh, DHA Registration No. 36234132, General Practitioner
⚠ Medication Warning
Do not discontinue any prescribed anti‑tubercular medication or antibiotics without explicit instructions from your treating physician. A negative PNB test does not exclude drug‑sensitive TB; clinical correlation is mandatory.
Exclusion Criteria & Emergency Red Flags
- Exclusion for sputum collection: Inability to produce sputum without induction, severe bronchospasm, recent haemoptysis >5 mL, or known allergy to local anaesthetic spray.
- Red Flags (seek emergency care before testing): Profuse haemoptysis (>100 mL/24h), acute respiratory failure (SpO₂ <90% on room air), high‑grade fever with confusion, or severe chest pain unresponsive to simple analgesics.
- Paediatric caution: Home collection for minors requires explicit consent compliant with Federal Decree‑Law No. 45 of 2021 on Personal Data Protection (PDPL) and Federal Law No. 2 of 2019 Concerning the Use of Information and Communication Technology in Health Fields; a parent or legal guardian must be present.
Patient FAQ & Clinical Guidance
1. What exactly does the Rapid AFB PNB Test tell my doctor?
Answer: The test definitively identifies whether the acid‑fast bacilli growing in your culture belong to the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex — the bacteria that cause transmissible tuberculosis — or are harmless environmental mycobacteria, within 15 days.
2. Will I need to stop eating or avoid supplements before the test?
Answer: No fasting or special preparation is required because the test is performed on a bacterial isolate already obtained from your earlier sputum or tissue sample — you simply need to have completed the primary culture step.
3. How is result accuracy and data privacy ensured in the UAE?
Answer: We adhere to ISO 9001:2015 standards, Federal Decree‑Law No. 45 of 2021 on Personal Data Protection (PDPL), and Federal Law No. 2 of 2019. Results are transmitted via encrypted channels exclusively to you and your treating physician.
4. Can I schedule home collection for this specific PNB test?
Answer: Home collection is available for the initial AFB culture sample (sputum or tissue) — the PNB test is then automatically performed on any positive AFB isolate from your specimen. No second sample is needed.
UAE Regulatory & Data Privacy Adherence
DNA Labs UAE operates under DHA Facility License 1143 and complies with Federal Decree‑Law No. 45 of 2021 on Personal Data Protection (PDPL) and Federal Law No. 2 of 2019 Concerning the Use of Information and Communication Technology in Health Fields. Patient data is encrypted during transmission and storage, with access restricted to authorised medical personnel. Test results are shared only with the requesting physician and the patient via secure channels.
Clinical & Logistical Metadata
| Test Name | Rapid AFB PNB Test for Mycobacterium tuberculosis Complex (MTBC) Identification |
| Price (AED) | 210 |
| Turnaround Time | 15 days from receipt of pure AFB isolate |
| Sample Type / Matrix | Pure AFB isolate cultured from sputum or tissue specimen |
| Methodology Used | Automated Fluorescent MGIT with PNB inhibition (BACTEC™ MGIT™ 960) |
| ICD-10-CM Code | A15.0 |
| LOINC Code | 11535-6 |
| DHA Facility License & Laboratory Address | DHA Facility License No. 1143 · Premises 105, Floor 1, Building 33, Dubai Healthcare City, Dubai, UAE · Corporate Lab: DNA Labs UAE |
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