The use of Gene-Xpert MTB RIF in the diagnosis of extrapulmonary tuberculosis in childhood and adolescence

• Published in: Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical
• Main Authors: Rafaela Baroni Aurilio, Vivian Vidal Marsili, Thiago da Silva Santos Malaquias, Afrânio Lineu Kritski, Clemax Couto Sant’Anna
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical (SBMT) 2020
• Subjects: Extrapulmonary; Tuberculosis; Child; Adolescent; Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine; RC955-962; Arctic; Rif
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1590/0037-8682-0104-2020; https://doaj.org/article/bd9a2824f1b844f1b88dbf91492b4dc8

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Gene-Xpert MTB RIF (Xpert) is based on nucleic acid amplification by real-time polymerase chain reaction, which allows for the identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and rifampin resistance. We describe the use of Xpert for extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) in children and adolescents. METHODS: A case series of two reference centers in Rio de Janeiro from 2014-2019. RESULTS: The final diagnosis of EPTB was established in 11/36 (31%) patients, with five cases detectable by Xpert. For lymph node evaluation (9/11), diagnosis by Xpert occurred in 5/9 patients, all with caseous aspects. CONCLUSIONS: Xpert can facilitate the rapid diagnosis of lymph node tuberculosis.