Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: Introduction
GeneXpert® MTB/RIF (Xpert) is now widely distributed in high human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/tuberculosis (TB)-burden countries. Yet, whether the test improves patient-important outcomes within HIV treatment programs in limited resource settings is unknown.Methods
To investigate whether use of Xpert for TB screening prior to initiation of antiretroviral treatment (ART) improves patient-important outcomes, in a pragmatic randomized controlled trial we assigned 424 patients to Xpert or fluorescence sputum smear microscopy (FM) at ART initiation. The primary endpoint was a composite of 3-month mortality and ART-associated TB.Results
There was no difference in overall TB diagnosis at ART initiation (20% [n = 43] Xpert vs 21% [n = 45] FM; P = .80), with most patients in both groups treated empirically. There was no difference in time to TB treatment initiation {5 days (interquartile range [IQR], 3-13) vs 8 days [IQR, 3-23; P = .26]} or loss to follow-up (32 [15%] vs 38 [18%]; P = 0.38). Although a nonsignificant reduction in mortality occurred in the Xpert group (11 [6%] vs 17 [10%]; 95% CI, -9% to 2%; P = .19), there was no difference in the composite outcome (9% [n = 17] Xpert vs 12% [n = 21] FM; difference -3%; 95% CI, -9% to 4%).Conclusions
Among HIV-infected initiating ART, centralized TB screening with Xpert did not reduce the rate of ART-associated TB and mortality, compared with fluorescence microscopy.
SUBMITTER: Mupfumi L
PROVIDER: S-EPMC4324195 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Mar
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Mupfumi L L Makamure B B Chirehwa M M Sagonda T T Zinyowera S S Mason P P Metcalfe J Z JZ Mutetwa R R
Open forum infectious diseases 20140301 1
<h4>Introduction</h4>GeneXpert® MTB/RIF (Xpert) is now widely distributed in high human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/tuberculosis (TB)-burden countries. Yet, whether the test improves patient-important outcomes within HIV treatment programs in limited resource settings is unknown.<h4>Methods</h4>To investigate whether use of Xpert for TB screening prior to initiation of antiretroviral treatment (ART) improves patient-important outcomes, in a pragmatic randomized controlled trial we assigned 424 ...[more]