title: Paradoxical results of two automated real-time PCR assays in the diagnosis of pleural tuberculosis.
abstract: Tuberculosis (TB) is a major cause of worldwide mortality. We report the case of a non-HIV-infected woman with clinical suspicion of pleural tuberculosis and contradictory results between Xpert®MTB/RIF and Abbott RealTime MTB assays from pleural fluid specimen. Liquid and solid cultures for tuberculosis were performed with negative results. The patient received treatment, and clinical improvement was observed. Both techniques detect Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex, but they have different targets and limits of detection. Abbott RealTime MTB results correlated well with the clinical findings of the patient.
authors.affiliation: Laboratorios Nancy Flórez García S.A.S., Valledupar, Colombia; Programa de Microbiología. Universidad Popular del Cesar, Valledupar, Colombia. Electronic address: sorayaeugeniam@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Soraya E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Morales-López
authors.affiliation: Programa de Microbiología. Universidad Popular del Cesar, Valledupar, Colombia.
authors.forename: Jayr A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Yepes
authors.affiliation: Laboratorios Nancy Flórez García S.A.S., Valledupar, Colombia.
authors.forename: Irina
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Anzola
authors.affiliation: Hospital Rosario Pumarejo de López, Valledupar, Colombia.
authors.forename: Hernán
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Aponte
authors.affiliation: Grupo Micobacterias. Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogotá, Colombia.
authors.forename: Claudia R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Llerena-Polo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D035422:Pleural Cavity / Q000382:microbiology; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014396:Tuberculosis, Pleural / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology*
keywords: Abbott RealTime MTB; Colombia; Xpert MTB/RIF; pleural tuberculosis