Test Price
480 AED✅ Home Collection Available
GeneXpert Ultra MTB/RIF Semi-Quantitative PCR – Rifampicin Resistance Detection in the UAE
Executive Summary & Core Metrics
This ultra-sensitive molecular diagnostic test simultaneously detects Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex DNA and mutations in the rpoB gene conferring rifampicin resistance, delivering same-day results with 99.9% diagnostic sensitivity through ISO-accredited processing. The test supports direct clinical decision-making for tuberculosis management across pulmonary and extrapulmonary presentations.
- Accuracy Guarantee: 99.9% diagnostic sensitivity via ISO-accredited real-time nested PCR methodology.
- Premium Logistics: Hospital extraction only – sample collection is conducted strictly within an accredited hospital facility; mobile home phlebotomy is disabled for safety.
- Clinical Guidance: Telephonic post-test clinical guidance for result interpretation provided by our licensed general practitioner.
- Insurance: Direct billing verification via WhatsApp +971 54 548 8731.
Test Overview & Methodology
The GeneXpert Ultra MTB/RIF assay employs ultra-sensitive nested real-time PCR with melt peak detection to simultaneously identify Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex DNA through dual-copy insertion sequences IS6110 and IS1081, and detect mutations in the rpoB gene core region that confer rifampicin resistance. With a limit of detection of 16 CFU/mL, this assay substantially outperforms conventional smear microscopy and standard Xpert MTB/RIF, enabling diagnosis in paucibacillary specimens such as cerebrospinal fluid and tissue biopsies.
| Parameter | GeneXpert Ultra MTB/RIF | Standard Xpert MTB/RIF |
|---|---|---|
| Detection Technology | Real-time Nested PCR with Melt Peak Detection | Real-time PCR (Hemi-nested) |
| Molecular Targets | IS6110 and IS1081 (dual copy) for enhanced sensitivity | rpoB core region only |
| Limit of Detection | 16 CFU/mL (ultra-low bacillary load) | 131 CFU/mL |
| Rifampicin Resistance Sensitivity | Approximately 98% with clarified melt peaks | Approximately 95% |
| Turnaround Time | Same-day (sample receipt by 11:00 AM) | Same-day |
| Accepted Specimens | Sputum, BAL, CSF, tissue biopsies, body fluids | Primarily sputum and BAL |
Physician Insight & Safety Protocols
“As a general practitioner managing patients with suspected tuberculosis, I understand the anxiety that accompanies the waiting period for diagnostic confirmation. The GeneXpert Ultra delivers rapid, highly sensitive results that allow clinicians to initiate appropriate therapy without unnecessary delay. However, every laboratory finding must be interpreted alongside the patient’s complete clinical presentation, chest imaging, and exposure history to ensure accurate management.”
— Dr. Ajay Singh, General Practitioner (DHA Registration ID: 36234132)
Clinical Advisory: Medication Continuity
Important Medication Advisory
Do not discontinue prescribed anti-tuberculosis therapy or adjust your dose without consulting your physician. Stopping treatment early or skipping doses may promote drug-resistant tuberculosis and complicate the curative process. Always complete the full course as directed.
Safety Exclusion & Red Flags
Exclusion Criteria and Emergency Indicators
- Exclusion: Active severe hemoptysis (large volume) – sputum induction may be unsafe.
- Exclusion: Known hypersensitivity to local anesthetics if bronchoscopy is planned for BAL collection.
- Specialist Referral Required (Federal Decree-Law No. 4 of 2016 on Medical Liability): Children under 2 years require paediatric infectious disease consultation prior to any invasive sampling procedure.
- Emergency Red Flags: High fever exceeding 39°C with rigors, respiratory rate above 30 breaths per minute, oxygen saturation below 92%, confusion, or neck stiffness – seek emergency medical care immediately.
Patient FAQ & Clinical Guidance
1. What is the GeneXpert Ultra MTB/RIF test used for?
This molecular diagnostic assay rapidly detects the presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex DNA and simultaneously identifies mutations in the rpoB gene that confer resistance to rifampicin, a key first-line anti-tuberculosis medication. Results are typically available within two hours of sample processing.
2. How accurate is GeneXpert Ultra compared with conventional smear microscopy?
GeneXpert Ultra demonstrates greater than 98% sensitivity for pulmonary tuberculosis and approximately 95% sensitivity for rifampicin resistance detection, substantially outperforming conventional smear microscopy which has a sensitivity of only 50 to 60 percent. This higher sensitivity is especially valuable in paucibacillary specimens and extrapulmonary samples.
3. Is any special preparation required before providing a sputum sample?
No fasting or special preparation is necessary. Patients are instructed to provide a deep-cough sputum sample into a sterile container following guidance from the hospital collection team. For specimens requiring bronchoscopy or lumbar puncture, standard procedural preparations apply as directed by the attending physician.
4. What sample types are accepted for this test?
The GeneXpert Ultra platform accepts a wide range of respiratory and extrapulmonary specimens including sputum, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), tissue biopsies, and body fluids. For CSF, BAL, and tissue specimens, collection must be performed within a hospital setting under appropriate medical supervision.
5. How should specimens be handled and transported?
All specimens must be refrigerated immediately after collection and shipped under cold-chain conditions to the laboratory. Specimens must not be frozen. Inadequate volume or improperly handled samples may compromise result accuracy and delay diagnosis.
UAE Regulatory & Data Privacy Adherence
All clinical data and personal health information are processed in full compliance 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 consent protocols and clinical safety standards adhere to Federal Decree-Law No. 4 of 2016 on Medical Liability. DNA Labs UAE operates under an ISO 9001:2015 certified quality management system (Certification: INT/EGQ/2509DA/3139) and is directly licensed by the Dubai Health Authority.
Clinical & Logistical Metadata
| Test Name | GeneXpert Ultra MTB/RIF Semi-Quantitative PCR (Rifampicin Resistance Detection) |
| Price (AED) | 480 AED |
| Turnaround Time | Same-day (sample receipt by 11:00 AM) |
| Sample Type / Matrix | Sputum, Bronchoalveolar Lavage (BAL), Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF), Tissue Biopsies, Body Fluids – Hospital Extraction Only for CSF, BAL, and tissue specimens |
| Methodology Used | Real-time Nested Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) with Melt Peak Detection |
| ICD-10-CM Code | A15.0 (Tuberculosis of lung), Z20.1 (Contact with tuberculosis) |
| LOINC Code | 49146-0 (Mycobacterium tuberculosis rpoB gene mutations detected in Unspecified specimen by Probe) |
| DHA Facility License & Laboratory Address | DHA Facility License Number: 1143 | Premises 105, Floor 1, Building 33, Dubai Healthcare City, Dubai, UAE | DNA Labs UAE |
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