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. 2019 Sep 25;5(3):00065-2019.
doi: 10.1183/23120541.00065-2019. eCollection 2019 Jul.

Comparison between the diagnostic accuracy of Xpert MTB/Rif assay and culture for pleural tuberculosis using tissue biopsy

Nousheen Akhter  1 , Kamran Khan Sumalani  1 , Dimple Chawla  1 , Nadeem Ahmed Rizvi  1
Affiliations

Comparison between the diagnostic accuracy of Xpert MTB/Rif assay and culture for pleural tuberculosis using tissue biopsy

Nousheen Akhter et al. ERJ Open Res. .

Abstract

Background: Early diagnosis of pleural tuberculosis is difficult as it is a paucibacillary disease and a combination of tests is required to diagnose it, which have varied diagnostic accuracy and increase the cost. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of the Xpert MTB/Rif assay on thoracoscopic pleural biopsy specimens.

Methods: A total of 201 patients with exudative pleural effusion and normal lung parenchyma were included in the study. All patients underwent thoracoscopic pleural biopsy under local anaesthesia. Biopsy samples were sent for Xpert MTB/Rif assay and culture, along with histopathology. Chronic granulomatous inflammation on histopathology and response to antituberculous treatment was taken as the reference standard for diagnosis of tuberculous pleurisy.

Results: Of the 198 patients included in the final analysis, 134 had pleural tuberculosis. The sensitivity of the Xpert assay was 52.2% and specificity was 100%, and that of pleural biopsy cultures were 41% and 100% respectively.

Conclusion: The sensitivity and specificity of Xpert MTB/Rif assay scores were high, hence escalating the speed of diagnosis and imparting marked impact on patient outcomes. The Xpert MTB/Rif assay is a potential game changer in diagnosing pleural tuberculosis.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest: N. Akhter has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: K.K. Sumalani has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: D. Chawla has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: N.A. Rizvi has nothing to disclose.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
10-mm rigid thoracoscope with biopsy forceps in the working channel.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Thoracoscopic view of the pleural cavity showing thick slough.
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
Thick slough with adhesions in a patient with chronic empyema (thoracoscopic view).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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