Cost analysis of smear microscopy and the Xpert assay for tuberculosis diagnosis: average turnaround time

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Rapid and accurate tuberculosis detection is critical for improving patient diagnosis and decreasing tuberculosis transmission. Molecular assays can significantly increase laboratory costs; therefore, the average time and economic impact should be evaluated before implementing a new technology. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cost and average turnaround time of smear microscopy and Xpert assay at a university hospital. METHODS: The turnaround time and cost of the laboratory diagnosis of tuberculosis were calculated based on the mean cost and activity based costing (ABC). RESULTS: The average turnaround time for smear microscopy was 16.6 hours while that for Xpert was 24.1 hours. The Xpert had a mean cost of USD 17.37 with an ABC of USD 10.86, while smear microscopy had a mean cost of USD 13.31 with an ABC of USD 6.01. The sensitivity of smear microscopy was 42.9% and its specificity was 99.1%, while the Xpert assay had a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 96.7%. CONCLUSIONS: The Xpert assay has high accuracy; however, the turnaround time and cost of smear microscopy were lower than those of Xpert.

Genotype®MTBDRplus and Xpert®MTB/RIF in the diagnosis of tuberculosis and resistant tuberculosis: cost analysis in a tertiary referral hospital

Abstract INTRODUCTION: The present study sought to assess the mean and activity based cost (ABC) of the laboratory diagnosis for tuberculosis through the application of conventional and molecular techniques-Xpert®MTB/RIF and Genotype®MTBDRplus-in a tertiary referral hospital in Brazil. METHODS: The mean cost and ABC formed the basis for the cost analysis of the TB laboratory diagnosis. RESULTS: The mean cost and ABC were US$ 4.00 and US$ 3.24, respectively, for a bacilloscopy; US$ 6.73 and US$ 5.27 for a Lowenstein-Jensen (LJ) culture; US$ 105.42 and US$ 76.56 for a drug sensitivity test (DST)-proportions method (PM) in LJ; US$ 148.45 and US$ 136.80 for a DST-BACTECTM MGITTM 960 system; US$ 11.53 and US$ 9.89 for an Xpert®MTB/RIF; and US$ 84.21 and US$ 48.38 for a Genotype®MTBDRplus. CONCLUSIONS: The mean cost and ABC proved to be good decision-making parameters in the diagnosis of TB and MDR-TB. The effective implementation of algorithms will depend on the conditions at each location.

Factors associated with tuberculosis and multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in patients treated at a tertiary referral hospital in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil / Fatores associados à tuberculose e à tuberculose multirresistente em pacientes atendidos em um hospital de referência terciária em Minas Gerais, Brasil

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the risk factors for the development of tuberculosis and multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in patients treated at a tertiary referral hospital. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study based on data obtained from patients treated at the Júlia Kubitschek Hospital, located in the city of Belo Horizonte, Brazil, between October of 2012 and October of 2014. We evaluated sociodemographic, behavioral, clinical, and radiological variables. The outcome considered to identify associations between tuberculosis and the explanatory variables was the treatment prescribed. To evaluate the associations between MDR-TB and the same explanatory variables, the change in MDR-TB treatment was considered. Results: The factors associated with tuberculosis were alcoholism, comorbidities, pulmonary cavitations, and a radiological pattern suggestive of tuberculosis. Cavitation and previous treatment for tuberculosis were associated with MDR-TB. Conclusions: Despite the significant progress made in the fight against tuberculosis, there is a need for coordinated actions that include social protection measures and patient support.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar os fatores de risco de pacientes atendidos em um hospital de referência terciária para o desenvolvimento de tuberculose e tuberculose multirresistente (TBMR). Métodos: Estudo transversal baseado em dados obtidos de pacientes atendidos no Hospital Júlia Kubitschek, na cidade de Belo Horizonte (MG), entre outubro de 2012 e outubro de 2014. As variáveis utilizadas foram agrupadas em características sociodemográficas, comportamentais, clínicas e radiológicas. O desfecho considerado para verificar associações entre tuberculose e variáveis explicativas foi o tratamento prescrito para tuberculose. Para avaliar a associação entre a tuberculose resistente e as mesmas variáveis explicativas considerou-se a mudança de tratamento para TBMR. Resultados: Alcoolismo, padrão radiológico sugestivo de tuberculose, presença de comorbidades e presença de cavitações pulmonares foram fatores associados à tuberculose. A TBMR foi associada a tratamento prévio para tuberculose e presença de cavitações. Conclusões: Apesar dos importantes progressos na luta contra a tuberculose, é necessário um conjunto de ações articuladas que incluam medidas de proteção social e suporte aos pacientes.

Accuracy of a rapid molecular test for tuberculosis in sputum samples, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, and tracheal aspirate obtained from patients with suspected pulmonary tuberculosis at a tertiary referral hospital / Acurácia do teste rápido molecular para tuberculose em amostras de escarro, lavado broncoalveolar e aspirado traqueal obtidos de pacientes com suspeita de tuberculose pulmonar em um hospital de referência terciária

ABSTRACT Tuberculosis continues to be a major public health problem worldwide. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the accuracy of the Xpert MTB/RIF rapid molecular test for tuberculosis, using pulmonary samples obtained from patients treated at the Júlia Kubitschek Hospital, which is operated by the Hospital Foundation of the State of Minas Gerais, in the city of Belo Horizonte, Brazil. This was a retrospective study comparing the Xpert MTB/RIF test results with those of standard culture for Mycobacterium tuberculosis and phenotypic susceptibility tests. Although the Xpert MTB/RIF test showed high accuracy for the detection of M. tuberculosis and its resistance to rifampin, attention must be given to the clinical status of the patient, in relation to the test results, as well as to the limitations of molecular tests.

RESUMO A tuberculose permanece como um grave problema de saúde pública. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a acurácia do teste rápido molecular Xpert MTB/RIF em amostras pulmonares no Hospital Júlia Kubitschek, Fundação Hospitalar do Estado de Minas Gerais, localizado em Belo Horizonte (MG). Trata-se de um estudo descritivo retrospectivo, considerando-se como método padrão a cultura para o bacilo da tuberculose e o teste de sensibilidade fenotípico. O teste Xpert MTB/RIF apresentou ótima acurácia para a detecção da tuberculose e resistência à rifampicina, mas é necessária a atenção a dados clínicos do paciente em relação ao resultado do exame e às limitações dos testes moleculares.

Análise dos mecanismos de resistência relacionados às enterobactérias com sensibilidade diminuída aos carbapenêmicos isoladas em um hospital de referência em doenças infecto-contagiosas / Analysis of resistance mechanisms related to enterobacteria with decreased susceptibility to carbapenems isolated from a referral hospital in infectious diseases

Objetivo: Dentre os mecanismos de resistência aos carbapenêmicos, a produção de carbapenemases tem o impacto mais significativo na saúde humana. Esse trabalho tem como objetivo analisar os mecanismos de resistência relacionados às enterobactérias com sensibilidade diminuída aos carbapenêmicos isoladas no Hospital Eduardo de Menezes da Fundação Hospitalar do Estado de Minas Gerais (FHEMIG), Brasil. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo retrospectivo das cepas de enterobactérias onde houve a detecção fenotípica de provável produção de carbapenemases e análise molecular. Resultados: Esse estudo mostrou que a principal carbapenemase encontrada entre os isolados foi a KPC, no entanto chama a atenção o isolamento de uma cepa produtora de NDM. Conclusão: A detecção de carbapenemases codificadas em elementos móveis reforça a necessidade de uma vigilância epidemiológica constante na instituição.

Atividade in vitro da tigeciclina frente aos isolados de Acinetobacter baumannii no Hospital Júlia Kubitschek da Fundação Hospitalar de Minas Gerais / In vitro activity of tigecycline against Acinetobacter baumannii isolates in Hospital Júlia Kubitschek of Minas Gerais Hospital Foundation

Acinetobacter baumannii, importante patógeno nosocomial, pode ser difícil de ser tratado devido à resistência a váriasclasses de antimicrobianos, evidenciando a necessidade do uso de drogas de novas classes terapêuticas para estes microorganismos. A tigeciclina, uma nova glicilciclina, tem um amplo espectro de ação, incluindo Acinetobacter baumannii. O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar a atividade da tigeciclina contra cepas de Acinetobacter baumannii isoladas entre setembro de 2008 a maio de 2009 de pacientes internados no Hospital Júlia Kubitschek. Os testes de sensibilidade pelo método de disco difusão foram realizados de acordo com metodologia padronizada pelo CLSI. Com relação ao perfil de resistência, foi observado que a maioria das cepas de Acinetobacter baumannii eram multirresistentes e a tigeciclina apresentou atividade in vitro contra todas estas cepas.

Acinetobacter baumannii, a nosocomial pathogen, can be problematic to treat due to resistance to multiple classes ofantibiotics, further highlighting the need for new therapeutic agents effective against this organism. Tigecycline, a novel glycylcycline, has a broad spectrum of activity which includes Acinetobacter baumannii. The aim of this study was to verify the tigecycline activity profile against A. baumannii isolated between September 2008- May 2009 from patients interned in Hospital Júlia Kubitschek. To perform the assay, disk diffusion susceptibility testing was performed according to the CLSI guidelines. Regarding the profile ofresistance, it was observed that the majority of the strains of Acinetobacter baumannii were multiresistant and tigecycline were active in vitro against all of this strains.