Diagnostic yield of Xpert MTB/RIF on contrast-enhanced ultrasound-guided pleural biopsy specimens for pleural tuberculosis

Background A 3-year prospective study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of Xpert MTB/RIF (Xpert) in the diagnosis of pleural tuberculosis (pTB) on contrast -enhanced ultrasound (CEUS)-guided pleural biopsy specimens. Method Patients suspected with pTB were prospectively enrolled to receive CEUS-guided biopsy. Specimens (pleural tissue and fluid) were submitted for Xpert and other routine examinations. Surgical thoracoscopy was performed on undiagnosed cases. Result A total of 316 patients were enrolled, including 280 cases of pTB (definite 195, possible 85) and 36 cases of non-pTB. The sensitivity of Xpert was 69.64% (195/280) in biopsy specimens, which was significantly higher than that in pleural effusion specimens (p 2 = 72.41; p Conclusion Xpert achieved highly diagnostic sensitivity in pTB through CEUS-guided biopsy sampling, especially on necrotic lesions, which was proven to be efficient, minimally invasive and safe.