GeneXpert® for smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis: does it play a role in low-burden countries?

Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis. 2013 Mar;75(3):325-6. doi: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2012.11.011. Epub 2012 Dec 28.

Abstract

We performed a retrospective analysis of costs and time to treatment (TT) of 150 culture-confirmed TB cases: 100 sputum smear (SS) (+) and 50 SS(-). This group underwent GeneXpert® (GX) assay. Expenditures and TT of SS(-)/GX(+) cases were inferred from the SS(+) group. GX detected 68% of SS(-) cases.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Bacteriological Techniques / economics*
  • Bacteriological Techniques / methods
  • Cost-Benefit Analysis
  • Delayed Diagnosis / economics
  • Delayed Diagnosis / prevention & control
  • Female
  • Hospitalization / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mycobacterium
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis / isolation & purification*
  • Reagent Kits, Diagnostic / economics*
  • Reagent Kits, Diagnostic / statistics & numerical data*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Sputum / microbiology
  • Time Factors
  • Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / diagnosis*
  • Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / economics

Substances

  • Reagent Kits, Diagnostic