Molecular diagnosis of urogenital tuberculosis among patients attending tuberculosis chest clinic in kogi state specialist hospital, Lokoja, Kogi State, Nigeria

Urogenital tuberculosis (UGTB) is a common extrapulmonary manifestation of TB, but its diagnosis remains challenging due to nonspecific symptoms and limited diagnostic tools. Despite its significant impact on global health, it remains incompletely understood and often overlooked. The primary aims of this study were to evaluate the diagnosis of UGTB and determine the prevalence of UGTB among patients visiting the Tuberculosis Chest Clinic in Kogi State Specialist Hospital, Lokoja, Kogi State, Nigeria. The study was a laboratory based, cross-sectional survey conducted with 98 participants, including 50 HIV-positive patients. Prior to sample collection, consent was obtained from all participants, and a questionnaire was used in the study. Urine samples were analyzed using the GeneXpert MTB/RIF Ultra assay procedure. The performance of the Determine TB-LAM Antigen test was assessed in HIV-positive patients. Out of 98 samples examined, 5 were positive for UGTB. The prevalence of UGTB using the GeneXpert MTB/RIF assay was 5.1%. However, all positive results exhibited sensitivity to Rifampicin (RIF). The overall percentage occurrence of TB was 6% for the Determine TB-LAM Ag test. The research highlighted the importance of molecular diagnostic tools in diagnosing UGTB, and validated the existence of UGTB in the examined region. Consequently, it is essential to implement routine screening for UGTB in patients exhibiting signs and symptoms of urinary tract infection utilising the GeneXpert MTB/RIF assay technique.