Value of Xpert® MTB/RIF Ultra in Cases With Suspected Tuberculosis

Xpert MTB/RIF was introduced recently and added great benefit in management of TB. Xpert MTB/RIF revolutionized the management of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) infections by providing faster and more accurate MTB diagnosis that detects MTB and rifampicin (RIF) resistance simultaneously. Following World Health Organization (WHO) endorsement in 2010, Xpert MTB/RIF has helped improve TB programs in over 130 countries5.

Building on this success, faster and more accurate detection of MTB from the first point of encounter in the community is critical. Partnered with GeneXpert® Systems, Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra was delivered with the advantages of improved performance and faster time to result (results within 80 minutes). It has higher sensitivity especially in smear-negative TB cases. The processing of the new assay is easy to use and does not need special expertise5. Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra has increased accuracy of Rifampicin results and improved detection of mixed infections. Recently published recommendations by global experts demonstrate the efficiency of using Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra as a frontline test over smear microscopy or line probe assays followed by culture-based methods for drug susceptibility testing. Thus, a single modification of the diagnostic algorithm to detect smear-positive and smear-negative TB patients improves active case management, is more cost-efficient and could potentially reduce the relative rate of transmission. Using Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra has the potential to reduce the number of missed smear-negative TB patients and may lead to a decrease in total costs of patient care due to the detection of MTB in patient specimens and RIF-resistance in a single test. There is great need for further research to assess the diagnostic value of Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.