TB Research

Xpert MTB/RIF Assay Shortens Airborne Isolation for Hospitalized Patients With Presumptive Tuberculosis in the United States

Melissa B. Miller, Christopher K. Lippincott, Annelies Van Rie, Elena B. Popowitch, Colleen F. Hanrahan

UNC Libraries · 2020-11

Abstract

Background. In the United States, individuals with presumptive pulmonary tuberculosis are placed in airborne infection isolation (AII) and assessed by smear microscopy on 3 respiratory specimens collected 8–24 hours apart. Xpert MTB/RIF assay (Xpert) on 1, 2, or 3 specimens may be more efficient for determining AII discontinuation.

MeSH terms

  • Isolation (microbiology)
  • Tuberculosis
  • Medicine
  • Microbiology
  • Patient isolation
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis
  • Virology
  • Biology