Anti TB Profile Test

This test is conducted on a patient’s blood to know whether they are resistant to certain drugs given to them or not. There are around 20 drugs which will be given in combinations (not all) to the TB patients to cure TB. There are 2-3 kinds of drugs administered to the patient’s according to their resistance level towards the drug. To a patient, generally, the first line drugs are given, if that doesn’t cure, second line drugs are given to them.

No special preparation is required for these tests. Wearing a short sleeve or sleeveless shirt or T-shirt will be helpful for the technicians to draw blood from the veins. Inform your doctor if you are on any medications or have any underlying medical conditions or allergies before undergoing this test. Your doctor depending on your condition will give specific instructions

This group of tests is done to know whether the patients are resistant to certain drugs given to them or not. This makes the work easier for the doctor to prescribe the patient with the correct medicine. No need of introducing the patient to first line drugs first and then the second line drugs. First line drugs are: Isoniazid, Rifampicin, Pyrazinamide, Ethambutol, Streptomycin. Second line of drugs is divided into 4 groups, namely A,B,C and D. If the patient is resistant to certain drugs or multiple drugs then the patient is advised to take at least 5 effective medicines. One of them is Pyrazinamide along with four core second line drugs one from Group A, One from Group B, at least two from Group C and one can be added from Group D.

For the blood to be drawn, at first the area is cleansed with an antiseptic and tourniquet is placed around the upper arm for pressure. A needle is inserted into the vein and blood is drawn and collected in a vial. Now, the tourniquet is removed and the patient is provided with cotton balls to prevent further bleeding. Now, the blood sample taken is divided for various tests to be taken. At first the blood is tested for First line drugs. If the result is still negative, then second line drugs are introduced to the test.