Emily MacLean1,2, Kavitha Saravu3,4, Madhukar Pai1,2,4. 1. Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health. 2. McGill International TB Centre, McGill University, Montreal, Canada. 3. Department of Medicine, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal. 4. Manipal McGill Centre for Infectious Diseases, Prasanna School of Public Health, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India.
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) in people living with HIV (PLHIV) remains a challenge, despite it being the most common comorbidity in this group. In this review, we provide an overview of tests for active TB, and their diagnostic performance in PLHIV. RECENT FINDINGS: New and updated diagnostic tests have better performance than traditional bacterial culture or smear microscopy in PLHIV. Recent developments in molecular tests have improved the sensitivity at which TB and drug susceptibility can be detected in PLHIV. Notably, the updated Xpert Ultra test can detect HIV-associated TB with high sensitivity, and a rapid lateral flow lipoarabinomannan-based assay has been shown to reduce TB-related mortality in hospitalized PLHIV. New directions in drug-susceptibility testing are being pursued, such as next-generation sequencing and line probe assays, but more evaluation in PLHIV is needed. There is growing understanding of subclinical TB, but methods to detect this type of TB are inadequate. SUMMARY: As diagnosis is the weakest link in the TB care cascade, newer more accurate TB tests must be scaled up and fully integrated into existing healthcare systems. Drug-susceptibility testing must become universal to ensure appropriate treatment regimens are prescribed, allowing TB clearance and inhibiting development of antimicrobial resistance.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) in people living with HIV (PLHIV) remains a challenge, despite it being the most common comorbidity in this group. In this review, we provide an overview of tests for active TB, and their diagnostic performance in PLHIV. RECENT FINDINGS: New and updated diagnostic tests have better performance than traditional bacterial culture or smear microscopy in PLHIV. Recent developments in molecular tests have improved the sensitivity at which TB and drug susceptibility can be detected in PLHIV. Notably, the updated Xpert Ultra test can detect HIV-associated TB with high sensitivity, and a rapid lateral flow lipoarabinomannan-based assay has been shown to reduce TB-related mortality in hospitalized PLHIV. New directions in drug-susceptibility testing are being pursued, such as next-generation sequencing and line probe assays, but more evaluation in PLHIV is needed. There is growing understanding of subclinical TB, but methods to detect this type of TB are inadequate. SUMMARY: As diagnosis is the weakest link in the TB care cascade, newer more accurate TB tests must be scaled up and fully integrated into existing healthcare systems. Drug-susceptibility testing must become universal to ensure appropriate treatment regimens are prescribed, allowing TB clearance and inhibiting development of antimicrobial resistance.
Authors: Thales Alves Campelo; Paulo Rafael Cardoso de Sousa; Lucas de Lima Nogueira; Cristiane Cunha Frota; Paulo Renato Zuquim Antas Journal: Access Microbiol Date: 2021-08-02
Authors: Thomas J Scriba; Mark Hatherill; Simon C Mendelsohn; Humphrey Mulenga; Stanley Kimbung Mbandi; Fatoumatta Darboe; Mary Shelton Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2021-08-05 Impact factor: 2.692