The complexities of Xpert® MTB/RIF interpretation

C. K. Lippincott, M. B. Miller, A. Van Rie, D. J. Weber, A. C. Sena, J. E. Stout

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

The Xpert® MTB/RIF assay has demonstrated robust capability for diagnosing tuberculosis (TB) and rifampin (RMP) resistance. Optimal use of Xpert in diverse settings will require knowledge of challenges when interpreting the results. We present three selected cases from the United States, a low-burden TB setting, to highlight important clinical scenarios encountered with Xpert testing: rapid RMP resistance detection in a patient with pre-extensively drug-resistant TB who immigrated from the Philippines, false-positive RMP resistance detection, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis detection in a culture-negative patient. These cases demonstrate that a low pre-test probability of TB or drug-resistant TB can complicate the interpretation of the Xpert assay.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)273-275
Number of pages3
JournalInternational Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease
Volume19
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 1 2015
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Hospital epidemiology
  • Infection control
  • Tuberculosis
  • United States

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine
  • Infectious Diseases

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