The role of the Xpert MTB/RIF assay among adolescents suspected of pulmonary tuberculosis in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Abstract

Introduction: The teste rápido molecular para tuberculose (TRM-TB) was introduced in 2014 in Brazil for tuberculosis screening. However, its role in adolescents in Brazil has not been studied. Methods: A descriptive study of adolescents with suspected tuberculosis using National Laboratory software. Results: Of 852 (15.4%) suspected cases, 131 were positive by TRMTB and 2% were resistant to rifampicin. Among TRM-TB-positive cases, 105 (91.4%) were culture-positive. Sixty-four of 96 samples were sensitive to rifampicin by TRM-TB; 11 were resistant to other drugs by drug sensitivity test (DST). Conclusions: Among suspected cases, 16% were diagnosed by TRM-TB, of which 17% were drug-resistant by DST.