Extract
Tuberculosis (TB) is a major public health concern worldwide. Early diagnosis, universal access to drug susceptibility testing and prompt initiation of treatment are key elements of the End TB strategy, and should therefore be implemented in all settings [1–5]. In order to reach TB elimination goals, the World Health Organization (WHO) currently recommends the use of a rapid molecular test, Xpert MTB/Rif (Xpert; Cepheid, Sunnyvale, CA, USA), as initial diagnostic tool when TB is suspected [6–8]. Although the excellent performance of this test in high TB burden areas is already supported by strong scientific evidence, few studies have been conducted so far to assess its impact on the diagnostic work-up of TB in low burden settings, sometimes with contrasting findings [7, 9, 10–12]. For example, according to Sohn et al. [10], Xpert testing might have limited impact in the ambulatory setting in Canada, owing to lower sensitivity and limited potential to expedite diagnosis beyond what is achieved with the existing, well-performing diagnostic algorithm.
Abstract
Xpert MTB/Rif should be used as an alternative test for microscopy for TB diagnosis in low incidence settings http://ow.ly/JQCF30i8nO3
Footnotes
Conflict of interest: None declared.
- Received November 14, 2017.
- Accepted January 10, 2018.
- Copyright ©ERS 2018