title: Xpert® MTB/RIF in pleural fluid for the diagnosis of tuberculosis.
abstract: An automated nucleic acid amplification assay that simultaneously identifies Mycobacterium tuberculosis and rifampicin resistance, the Xpert® MTB/RIF test, has undergone extensive evaluation in sputum samples. Our aim was to define its diagnostic accuracy when performed on pleural fluid specimens. In 67 patients with pleural effusions, of whom half had tuberculous pleuritis, Xpert yielded 15% sensitivity and 100% specificity in the detection of tuberculosis (TB). Positive Xpert results tended to be more common in patients with microbiologically confirmed TB. Due to its low sensitivity, Xpert testing of pleural fluids has a limited role in the work-up of pleural effusions.
authors.affiliation: Pleural Diseases Unit, Departments of Internal Medicine and Laboratory Medicine, Arnau de Vilanova University Hospital, Biomedical Research Institute of Lleida, Lleida, Spain. jporcelp@yahoo.es
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Porcel
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Palma
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Valdés
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bielsa
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: San-José
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Esquerda
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D057205:Automation, Laboratory; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012321:DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016013:Likelihood Functions; D008297:Male; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000382:microbiology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012293:Rifampin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013030:Spain; D014396:Tuberculosis, Pleural / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D000995:Antitubercular Agents; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; C505805:rpoB protein, Mycobacterium tuberculosis; D012321:DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases; D012293:Rifampin