A High Burden Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Tuberculosis Resource Limited Setting, Gains from Including Xpert MTB/RIF in the Diagnostic Algorithm of Fluid Specimens Submitted for Exclusion of Lymphoma by Immunophenotypic Analysis

PLoS One. 2015 Aug 17;10(8):e0134404. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0134404. eCollection 2015.

Abstract

This study investigated the benefit of incorporating Xpert MTB/RIF into the diagnostic algorithm of fluid specimens received for immunophenotypic analysis to exclude lymphoma. It was found that in a high burden HIV/TB setting, like South Africa, 130/229 (57%) of fluid specimens referred for immunophenotypic analysis to exclude lymphoma are not referred for concurrent MTBC liquid culture testing by the treating clinician. Of 99/229 (43%) specimens with corresponding culture results, Xpert sensitivity and specificity were 50% (CI:26-75%) and 99% (CI:91-100%) respectively. This demonstrates that incorporation of Xpert into the laboratory diagnostic algorithm in the immunophenotypic laboratory would improve patient work-up and care.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms
  • HIV Infections / complications
  • HIV Infections / diagnosis*
  • HIV Infections / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immunophenotyping / methods*
  • Lymphoma / immunology*
  • Molecular Diagnostic Techniques
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • South Africa
  • Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / complications
  • Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / diagnosis*
  • Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / immunology