ACCURACY OF XPERT MTB/RIF ULTRA FOR THE DIAGNOSIS OF PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS IN CHILDREN

We determined the accuracy of the new Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra assay for diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis in children, using banked-induced sputum. Sensitivity and specificity were 75.3% and 96.9%, respectively, compared with a culture result from the same specimen. Of those children with microbiologically confirmed tuberculosis (positive Xpert, Ultra or culture), Xpert detected 63.2%, Ultra 73.7% and culture 82.9%.