PERBEDAAN PEMERIKSAAN MIKROSKOPIS BAKTERI TAHAN ASAM METODE ZIEHL NEELSEN DAN TES CEPAT MOLEKULER DENGAN SAMPEL SPUTUM PADA PUSKESMAS GANG SEHAT KOTA PONTIANAK

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease that remains a global health problem, including in Indonesia. Early diagnosis of tuberculosis is essential to reduce morbidity and transmission rates. Common diagnostic methods for TB in primary care services include the Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) microscopic method and the Molecular Rapid Test (MRT) GeneXpert.
Purpose: This study aimed to compare the results of the Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) method and the Molecular Rapid Test (MRT) in suspected TB patients at Gang Sehat Community Healt center Pontianak city.
Methods: This was a randomized sampling study involving sputum samples that met the inclusion criteria from patients at Gang Sehat Community Health Center, conducted between December 2024 and April 2025. A total of 30 sputum samples from suspected TB patients were examined using the Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) microscopy and the Molecular Rapid Test (MRT). Data were analyzed univariately and bivariately using the Wilcoxon test.
Results: The Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) microscopic examination showed 63.3% negative and 36.7% positive results. The Molecular Rapid Test (MRT) showed 63.3% MTB not detected and 36.7% MTB detected (classified as low, medium, and high). The Wilcoxon test revealed no significant difference between the two methods (p = 0.102).
Conclusion: There was no significant difference between the Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) microscopic examination and the Molecular Rapid Test (MRT) in detecting Mycobacterium tuberculosis in sputum samples of suspected TB patients. Both methods offer complementary diagnostic value and can be utilized based on laboratory facilities and patient conditions