title: Integrating the Xpert MTB/RIF assay into a diagnostic workflow for rapid detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in a low-prevalence area.
abstract: The Xpert MTB/RIF assay is a rapid and fully automated real-time PCR assay. The performance of the Xpert MTB/RIF assay as a primary screening test for urgent clinical specimens was evaluated during a 2-year period. The results showed that replacing smear microscopy with the Xpert MTB/RIF assay facilitates laboratory handling and improves the sensitivity and specificity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis detection.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Medizinische Mikrobiologie, Universität Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Vanessa
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Deggim
authors.forename: Akos
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Somoskovi
authors.forename: Antje
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Voit
authors.forename: Erik C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Böttger
authors.forename: Guido V
authors.initials: GV
authors.lastname: Bloemberg
mesh_terms: D001431:Bacteriological Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D025202:Molecular Diagnostic Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D057188:Workflow