Clinical microbiology: Truenat: practice question

A Microbiology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Microbiology · Clinical microbiology: Truenat

Sample item

A primary health centre in a remote block has intermittent electricity and no cartridge-based laboratory. Under the national TB programme, which test can detect Mycobacterium tuberculosis and rifampicin resistance from sputum at this level using a battery-operated, chip-based real-time micro-PCR device?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

D. Truenat

Truenat is a portable, battery-operated, chip-based real-time PCR system that detects M. tuberculosis and, with a second chip, rifampicin resistance. It can be placed at peripheral laboratories. Line probe assays and cultures need biosafety level 2 or 3 laboratories and trained staff at higher centres.

Option by option

  • A. Lowenstein-Jensen culture

    Solid Lowenstein-Jensen culture takes up to 8 weeks and needs BSL-3 containment.

  • B. MGIT liquid culture

    MGIT liquid culture needs a BSL-3 laboratory and an automated incubator and gives results over days to weeks.

  • C. Line probe assay

    Line probe assays need a well-equipped reference laboratory with multiple rooms and are done on cultures or concentrated specimens.

  • D. Truenat (correct)

    Correct. Truenat is designed for peripheral laboratories.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More Microbiology questions

Questions about this Microbiology question

What is the answer to this Microbiology question?

The best answer is D, Truenat. Truenat is a portable, battery-operated, chip-based real-time PCR system that detects M.

Why is "Lowenstein-Jensen culture" not the answer?

Solid Lowenstein-Jensen culture takes up to 8 weeks and needs BSL-3 containment.

Why is "MGIT liquid culture" not the answer?

MGIT liquid culture needs a BSL-3 laboratory and an automated incubator and gives results over days to weeks.

Why is "Line probe assay" not the answer?

Line probe assays need a well-equipped reference laboratory with multiple rooms and are done on cultures or concentrated specimens.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Clinical microbiology: Truenat in Microbiology. tuberculosis and, with a second chip, rifampicin resistance. It can be placed at peripheral laboratories. Line probe assays and cultures need biosafety level 2 or 3 laboratories and trained staff at higher centres.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Clinical microbiology: Truenat?

Make a one-line identity card for each organism: shape and stain, defining test, toxin, disease and drug. Then use the flashcards and the other Microbiology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.