FluoroType® MTB en líquido pleural para el diagnóstico de tuberculosis

FluoroType® MTB in pleural fluid for diagnosing tuberculosis

S. Bielsaa, A. Bernetb, C. Civita, C. Acostaa, A. Manonellesb, J.M. Porcela,

Autor para correspondencia

[e-mail]

Autor para correspondencia.

a Unidad de Medicina Pleural, Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital Universitario Arnau de Vilanova, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Lleida, IRBLleida, Lérida, España

b Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital Universitario Arnau de Vilanova, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Lleida, IRBLleida, Lérida, España

Resumen

Objetivos

This work aims to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of a nucleic acid amplification test (FluoroType MTB®) in pleural fluid (PF) and sputum to diagnose tuberculous pleural effusion (TPE). We also analyzed the increase in diagnostic accuracy of a second FluoroType MTB® test on a second thoracentesis sample when the first was negative.

Métodos

We conducted a prospective single-center study that included 207 patients with pleural effusion (31 tuberculous and 176 due to other causes). Of the 31 cases of TPE, 21 (68%) were confirmed histologically or microbiologically; the other cases were considered probable.

Resultados

The operational characteristics of FluoroType MTB® in PF for identifying tuberculosis were a sensitivity of 13%, a specificity of 99%, a positive likelihood ratio of 11, and a negative likelihood ratio of 0.9. The diagnostic efficacy data for sputum samples were 21%, 91%, 2.4, and 0.9, respectively. PF and sputum cultures in solid and liquid media had greater sensitivity (36% and 31%, respectively). A second FluoroType MTB® test in PF was negative for 24 patients who had TPE and for whom the first FluoroType MTB® test was also negative. Only two (6.5%) patients with TPE had a confirmed diagnosis based exclusively on the positive results of the FluoroType MTB® in PF.

Conclusión

Due to its low sensitivity, the FluoroType MTB® test in PF has a limited role in diagnosing tuberculous pleurisy.

Palabras clave:

FluoroType MTB

Tuberculosis pleural

Derrame pleural

Abstract

Objectives

This work aims to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of a nucleic acid amplification test (FluoroType MTB®) in pleural fluid (PF) and sputum to diagnose tuberculous pleural effusion (TPE). We also analyzed the increase in diagnostic accuracy of a second FluoroType MTB® test on a second thoracentesis sample when the first was negative.

Methods

We conducted a prospective single-center study that included 207 patients with pleural effusion (31 tuberculous and 176 due to other causes). Of the 31 cases of TPE, 21 (68%) were confirmed histologically or microbiologically; the other cases were considered probable.

Results

The operational characteristics of FluoroType MTB® in PF for identifying tuberculosis were a sensitivity of 13%, a specificity of 99%, a positive likelihood ratio of 11, and a negative likelihood ratio of 0.9. The diagnostic efficacy data for sputum samples were 21%, 91%, 2.4, and 0.9, respectively. PF and sputum cultures in solid and liquid media had greater sensitivity (36% and 31%, respectively). A second FluoroType MTB® test in PF was negative for 24 patients who had TPE and for whom the first FluoroType MTB® test was also negative. Only two (6.5%) patients with TPE had a confirmed diagnosis based exclusively on the positive results of the FluoroType MTB® in PF.

Conclusion

Due to its low sensitivity, the FluoroType MTB® test in PF has a limited role in diagnosing tuberculous pleurisy.

Keywords:

FluoroType MTB

Pleural tuberculosis

Pleural effusion