Diagnostic values of Xpert MTB/RIF, T-SPOT.TB and adenosine deaminase for HIV-negative tuberculous pericarditis in a high burden setting: a prospective observational study.

The diagnosis of tuberculous pericarditis (TBP) remains challenging. This prospective study evaluated the diagnostic value of Xpert MTB/RIF (Xpert) and T-SPOT.TB and adenosine deaminase (ADA) for TBP in a high burden setting. A total of 123 HIV-negative patients with suspected TBP were enrolled at a tertiary referral hospital in China. Pericardial fluids were collected and subjected to the three rapid tests, and the results were compared with the final confirmed diagnosis. Of 105 patients in the final analysis, 39 (37.1%) were microbiologically, histopathologically or clinically diagnosed with TBP. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) for Xpert were 66.7%, 98.5%, 96.3%, 83.3%, 44.0, 0.338, and 130.0, respectively, compared to 92.3%, 87.9%, 81.8%, 95.1%, 7.6, 0.088, and 87.0, respectively, for T-SPOT.TB, and 82.1%, 92.4%, 86.5%, 89.7%, 10.8, 0.194, and 55.8, respectively, for ADA (≥ 40 U/L). ROC curve analysis revealed a cut-off point of 48.5 spot-forming cells per million pericardial effusion mononuclear cells for T-SPOT.TB, which had a DOR value of 183.8, while a cut-off point of 41.5 U/L for ADA had a DOR value of 70.9. Xpert (Step 1: rule-in) followed by T-SPOT.TB [cut-off point] (Step 2: rule-out) showed the highest DOR value of 252.0, with only 5.7% (6/105) of patients misdiagnosed. The two-step algorithm consisting of Xpert and T-SPOT.TB could offer rapid and accurate diagnosis of TBP.

[Short-term effect of treatment protocol utilizing levofloxacin, pasiniazide and M. Vaccae on multi- drug resistant pulmonary tuberculosis].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of the protocol combining levofloxacin, pasiniazide, M. Vaccae (V+D+M protocol) in the treatment of multi-drug resistant pulmonary tuberculosis (MDR-TB). METHOD: Ninety-seven cases of MDR-TB randomized into V+D+M treatment protocol group (n=50) and control group (n=47) were observed for the negative sputum conversion rate, focal absorption, pulmonary cavity closure and improvement of immune function, after a 6-month treatment course. RESULTS: After the completion of the treatment course, the negative sputum conversion rate in V+D+M treatment protocol group was 84%, significantly higher than that in the control group (42%); the former group showed a focal absorption rate and pulmonary cavity closure rate of 83% and 66%, which were 33% and 26% respectively in the latter. In V+D+M treatment protocol group, T lymphocyte subgroups CD(3) and CD(4) were significantly elevated while CD(8) decreased after treatment, resulting in increased CD(4) to CD(8) ratio. The incidence of adverse effects resulting from the different treatment protocols in the two groups were comparable (30% vs 38%). CONCLUSION: V+D+M treatment protocol is effective for MDR-TB, which possesses the potential for application in clinical practice.