Hapsari, Rika and Endaryanto, Anang and Mertaniasih, Ni Made and Setyoningrum, Retno Asih and Chafid, Arda Pratama Putra and Harum, Nabila Annisa (2026) Molecular Diagnostic of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Small RNA Plasma in Drug-sensitive Tuberculosis Children and Household Contacts. International Journal of Mycobacteriology, 15 (1). 1 - 5.

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Abstract

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant global health concern, particularly in children. Conventional TB diagnostics, such as culture or sputum-based. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is limited in pediatric populations. This study evaluates the molecular diagnostic of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) 16 small ribosomal RNA (rRNA) plasma in drug-sensitive TB children and household contacts. Methods: A cross-sectional study involved children aged 1 month to 18 years who were diagnosed with TB and those with household contact with TB cases. Participants underwent clinical evaluation, tuberculin skin test (TST), and peripheral blood collection for PCR 16S rRNA MTB. Statistical analysis was performed using Fisher�s exact and Mann�Whitney U-tests (P < 0.05). Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), likelihood ratio, and area under the curve (AUC) were determined to evaluate the diagnostic efficiency of PCR 16S rRNA. Results: Among 30 participants, 15 were diagnosed with TB, and 15 were close contacts of TB. Positive PCR 16S rRNA results were found in 66.7 of TB-diagnosed children and 46.7 of household contacts, with no statistically significant difference (P = 0.239). TST was positive in 86.7 of the TB group and 20 of contact TB (P < 0.001). The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, likelihood ratio, and AUC of the PCR 16S rRNA MTB were 66.7, 63.3, 58.82, 61.53, 1.817, 0.400 (0.194�0.606). Conclusion: Molecular diagnostic of MTB using PCR 16S rRNA blood is a promising tool for identifying MTB in children. These findings support the potential role of blood-based molecular diagnostics in TB. © 2026 International Journal of Mycobacteriology.

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