Diagnosis of paediatric TB using Xpert® MTB/RIF Ultra on fresh respiratory samples

• DOI: 10.5588/ijtld.22.0007
• Publication Date: 2022-08-23T04:34:53Z
• Authors: I. Sabi; W. Olomi; E. Nkereuwem; T. Togun; M. P. Gomez; M. Sylla; B. Diarra; M. Sanogo; E. Sichone; H. Mahiga; F. Njeleka; A. O. Ebonyi; U. Egere; N. E. Ntinginya; M. Hoelscher; N. Heinrich; B. Kampmann
• Keywords: Gold standard (test); Sputum culture

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of Xpert® MTB/RIF Ultra (Ultra) on fresh respiratory samples for diagnosis pulmonary TB (PTB) in children.METHODS: Between July 2017 and December 2019, children with presumed were prospectively enrolled at clinical sites three African countries. Children assessed using history, physical examination chest X-ray. Sputum or gastric aspirate analysed culture. The was calculated against culture as reference standard.RESULTS: In total, 547children included. median age 4.7 years, 77 (14.1%) HIV infected had bacteriologically confirmed TB. detected an additional 20 cases group negative results. sensitivity 66.3% (95% CI 47-82), specificity 95.4% 89-99) when standard.CONCLUSION: Despite improved performance compared to Xpert previously reported, its remains sub-optimal detection children. which otherwise could not have been by alone, suggesting that latter is imperfect standard.