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Journal Article > Research

Xpert-Ultra assay on stool and urine to improve tuberculosis diagnosis in children: the Médecins Sans Frontières experience in Guinea-Bissau and South Sudan

Moretó-Planas L, Mahajan R, Fidelle Nyikayo L, Ajack YBP, Tut Chol B, Osman E, Sangma M, Tobi A, Gallo J, Biague E, Gonçalves R, Rocaspana M, Medina C, Camará M, Flevaud L, Ruby LC, Bélard S, Sagrado MJ, Molina I, Llosa AE
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Abstract
BACKGROUND
Over half of childhood tuberculosis (TB) remains undiagnosed yearly. WHO recommends Xpert-Ultra as a first paediatric diagnosis test, but microbiological confirmation remains low. We aimed to determine the diagnostic performance of Xpert-Ultra on stool and urine in presumptive paediatric TB cases in two high-TB burden settings.

METHODS
This Médecins sans Frontières cross-sectional multicentric study took place at Simão Mendes hospital, Guinea-Bissau (July 2019 to April 2020) and in Malakal hospital, South Sudan (April 2021 to June 2023). Children 6 months to 15 years with presumptive TB underwent clinical and laboratory assessment, with one respiratory and/or extrapulmonary sample (gold standard (GS)), one stool and one urine specimen analysed with Xpert-Ultra.

RESULTS
A total of 563 children were enrolled in the study, 133 from Bissau, 400 from Malakal; 30 were excluded. Confirmation of TB was achieved in 75 (14.1%) while 248 (46.5%) had unconfirmed TB. Of 553 with GS specimen, the overall diagnostic yield was 12.4% (66/533). A total of 493 and 524 samples were used to evaluate Xpert-Ultra on stool and on urine, respectively. Compared to GS, sensitivity and specificity of Xpert-Ultra on stool were 62.5%(95%CI:49.4-74) and 98.3%(95%CI:96.7-99.2), whereas on urine were 13.9%(95%CI:7.5-24.3) and 99.4%(95%CI:98.1-99.8), respectively. Nine patients were positive on stool and/or urine but negative on GS.

CONCLUSIONS
Xpert-Ultra on stool showed moderate to high sensitivity and high specificity when compared to GS and an added diagnostic yield when GS was negative. Xpert-Ultra on stool was useful in extrapulmonary cases. Xpert-Ultra in urine showed low test performance.
Countries
Guinea-BissauSouth Sudan
Subject Area
tuberculosisdiagnosticspediatricsHIV/AIDS
DOI
10.1093/ofid/ofae221
Published Date
02-May-2024
PubMed ID
38798893
Languages
English
Journal
Open Forum Infectious Diseases
Volume / Issue / Pages
Volume 11, Issue 5, Pages ofae221
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