TB Research

Evaluation of Xpert MTB/RIF Assay for Diagnosis of Tuberculosis in Children

Das A, Anupurba S, Mishra OP, Banerjee T, Tripathi R

Journal of tropical pediatrics · 2019-02

Abstract

Introduction Childhood tuberculosis (TB) is now a global priority. With the advent of Xpert MTB/RIF, more TB cases in children are being reported. This study was undertaken to evaluate the performance of Xpert in diagnosis of pulmonary and extra-pulmonary TB in children. Methods Specimens from 171 suspected TB cases in children aged Results The specimens included 106 gastric aspirates, 51 cerebrospinal fluids, 8 induced sputum and 6 lymph node aspirates. Xpert detected Mycobacterium tuberculosis in 19 cases (14 pulmonary and 5 extra-pulmonary), 7 of which were rifampicin-resistant. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of Xpert compared with culture were 88.89, 98.04, 84.21 and 98.68%, respectively. The sensitivity was 100% in children aged 1-5 years and 6-10 years and in gastric aspirates. Conclusion Xpert is an efficient diagnostic tool in childhood tuberculosis.

MeSH terms

  • Gastric Juice
  • Sputum
  • Humans
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis
  • Tuberculosis
  • Tuberculosis, Pulmonary
  • Rifampin
  • DNA, Bacterial
  • Molecular Diagnostic Techniques
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • India
  • Female
  • Male