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Diagnostic accuracy of Xpert® MTB/RIF on bronchoscopy specimens in patients with suspected pulmonary tuberculosis

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OBJECTIVE: To determine the diagnostic accuracy of the Xpert® MTB/RIF assay using samples obtained through bronchoscopy in patients with suspected pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB).

DESIGN: We retrospectively reviewed the records of patients with suspected PTB for whom the Xpert MTB/RIF assay was performed on bronchoscopy specimens. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) for the diagnosis of active PTB were calculated for acid-fast bacilli (AFB) smear microscopy and the Xpert assay using culture of Mycobacterium tuberculosis from sputum or bronchoscopy specimens as a reference standard.

RESULTS: A total of 132 patients were included in the final analysis. Of these, 38 had culture-confirmed PTB. The sensitivity of the Xpert assay using bronchial washing or bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid for the diagnosis of PTB was 81.6%, and specificity was 100%. The PPV and NPV were 100% and 92.1%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of AFB smear microscopy were respectively 13.2% and 98.8%.

CONCLUSION: The Xpert assay on bronchoscopy specimens provided an accurate diagnosis of PTB in patients who had a negative AFB smear or who could not produce sputum.

Keywords: Xpert MTB/RIF assay; bronchoscopy; diagnosis; tuberculosis

Document Type: Research Article

Affiliations: 1: Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine and Lung Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea 2: Department of Laboratory Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea 3: Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Inha University, Incheon, Republic of Korea

Publication date: 01 July 2013

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  • The International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (IJTLD) is for clinical research and epidemiological studies on lung health, including articles on TB, TB-HIV and respiratory diseases such as COVID-19, asthma, COPD, child lung health and the hazards of tobacco and air pollution. Individuals and institutes can subscribe to the IJTLD online or in print – simply email us at [email protected] for details.

    The IJTLD is dedicated to understanding lung disease and to the dissemination of knowledge leading to better lung health. To allow us to share scientific research as rapidly as possible, the IJTLD is fast-tracking the publication of certain articles as preprints prior to their publication. Read fast-track articles.

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