Work

Xpert®MTB/RIF for point-of-care diagnosis of TB in high-HIV burden, resource-limited countries: hype or hope?

Year: 2010

Type: review

Abstract: 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.

Source: Expert Review of Molecular Diagnostics

DOI: 10.1586/erm.10.67

Authors: Annelies Van Rie, Liesl Page-Shipp, Lesley Scott, Ian Sanne, Wendy Stevens

Institutions: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Right to Care, National Health Laboratory Service, University of the Witwatersrand

Language: English

Topic: Tuberculosis Research and Epidemiology

Subfield: Infectious Diseases

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funders: United States Agency for International Development, U.S. Public Health Service, Fogarty International Center, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development