Xpert(®) MTB/RIF for point-of-care diagnosis of TB in high-HIV burden, resource-limited countries: hype or hope?
Despite the identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis as the cause of tuberculosis (TB) more than a century ago, diagnosing TB in resource-poor countries remains a challenge, especially in people living with HIV. In the past decade, important research investments have been made towards the development of new diagnostics for TB and the Xpert(®) MTB/RIF assay (Cepheid, CA, USA) has emerged as one of the most promising. In this article, we review the current knowledge on Xpert MTB/RIF, discuss the potential value of Xpert MTB/RIF as a point-of-care diagnostic for drug-sensitive and drug-resistant TB, and outline the potential indications for the assay in resource-limited, high-HIV burden settings. We also discuss key research questions that need to be addressed prior to possible large-scale implementation of the assay.
Van Rie
Annelies
A
Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7435, USA. vanrie@email.unc.edu
Page-Shipp
Liesl
L
Scott
Lesley
L
Sanne
Ian
I
Stevens
Wendy
W
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D003906:Developing Countries; D006678:HIV / Q000472:pathogenicity; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity; D019095:Point-of-Care Systems; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D018088:Tuberculosis, Multidrug-Resistant / Q000175:diagnosis
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents