Factors influencing false-positive results of rifampicin resistance detected by Xpert MTB/RIF: A retrospective study in Zhejiang, China

Objective This study aimed to explore the factors influencing false-positive results for rifampicin resistance (RIF-R) detected using Xpert MTB/RIF (Xpert). Methods This retrospective analysis included the clinical data of patients from September 2019 to February 2023. The chi-square and rank sum tests were used to compare differences in patient characteristics between the true-positive and false-positive groups. Logistic regression was used to analyze the factors influencing false positives in the detection of RIF-R by Xpert. Results A total of 384 patients were included. Logistic regression analysis revealed that, with mutation of probe E as the reference, mutations on probe A or C (OR = 72.68, P P P = 0.002) were associated with false-positive results in Xpert detection of RIF-R. Taking probe delay ΔCt P P Conclusions Clinicians should consider factors such as probe mutation type, probe delay, and very low quantification accompanied by probe delay when interpreting Xpert results, which can reduce the misdiagnosis of tuberculosis drug resistance.