- 期刊
Performance of Xpert MTB/RIF Assay for Detection of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis in Respiratory Specimens and Its Effect on Reducing TB Diagnosis Delay: A Single Center Experience
摘要
Background: Xpert MTB/RIF (GeneXpert MTB/RIF) assay is a point-of-care nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) endorsed by the World Health Organization for rapid detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) from respiratory specimens. Studies regarding its performance and impact on tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis in Taiwan remain limited. Methods: This was a single-center study conducted in northern Taiwan. Patients with suspected pulmonary TB and who had respiratory specimens examined by Xpert MTB/RIF from January 2016 to July 2020 were recruited. We evaluated the performance of Xpert MTB/ RIF using the culture method as a reference. The results of conventional MTB NAAT (Cobas TaqMan) were also recorded and compared. Results: A total of 102 patients were recruited. Among them, 23 were positive using MTB culture and 20 were positive using acid-fast stain. The sensitivity and specificity of Xpert MTB/RIF were 91.3% (21/23) and 100% (79/79), respectively. Cobas TaqMan was also performed for 51 patients, with a sensitivity and specificity of 66.7% (8/12) and 100% (39/39), respectively. Use of Xpert MTB/RIF reduced TB diagnosis delay by 2 days compared to traditional stain and culture methods. Among the 8 patients with smear-negative TB, the median time to MTB culture positivity was 26.5 days (total=219 days). Conclusion: Xpert MTB/RIF is a sensitive and specific point-of-care diagnosis kit for MTB detection in respiratory specimens, and helps reduce TB diagnosis delay.