Systematic Review of Pooling Sputum as an Efficient Method for Xpert MTB/RIF Tuberculosis Testing during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Cuevas, Luis ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6581-0587, Santos, Victor, Lima, Shirley, Kontogianni, Konstantina, Bimba, John, Iem, Vibol, Dominguez, Jose, Adams, Emily ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0816-2835, CubasAtienzar, Ana, Edwards, Thomas, Squire, Bertie ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7173-9038, Hall, Patricia J. and Creswell, Jacob (2021) 'Systematic Review of Pooling Sputum as an Efficient Method for Xpert MTB/RIF Tuberculosis Testing during the COVID-19 Pandemic'. Emerging Infectious Diseases, Vol 27, Issue 3, pp. 719-727.

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Abstract

GeneXpert-based testing with Xpert MTB/RIF or Ultra assays is essential for tuberculosis diagnosis. However, testing may be affected by cartridge and staff shortages. More efficient testing strategies could help, especially during the coronavirus disease pandemic. We searched the literature to systematically review whether GeneXpert-based testing of pooled sputum samples achieves sensitivity and specificity similar to testing individual samples; this method could potentially save time and preserve the limited supply of cartridges. From 6 publications, we found 2-sample pools using Xpert MTB/RIF had 87.5% and 96.0% sensitivity (average sensitivity 94%; 95% CI 89.0%–98.0%) (2 studies). Four-sample pools averaged 91% sensitivity with Xpert MTB/RIF (2 studies) and 98% with Ultra (2 studies); combining >4 samples resulted in lower sensitivity. Two studies reported that pooling achieved 99%–100% specificity and 27%–31% in cartridge savings. Our results show that pooling may improve efficiency of GeneXpert-based testing.

Item Type:	Article
Subjects:	QY Clinical Pathology > Diagnostic Tests > QY 120 Sputum WA Public Health > WA 105 Epidemiology WC Communicable Diseases > Virus Diseases > Viral Respiratory Tract Infections. Respirovirus Infections > WC 505 Viral respiratory tract infections WF Respiratory System > Tuberculosis > WF 200 Tuberculosis (General) WF Respiratory System > Tuberculosis > WF 220 Diagnosis. Prognosis
Faculty: Department:	Biological Sciences > Department of Tropical Disease Biology Clinical Sciences & International Health > Clinical Sciences Department Clinical Sciences & International Health > International Public Health Department
Digital Object Identifer (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.3201/eid2703.204090
Depositing User:	Stacy Murtagh
Date Deposited:	25 Feb 2021 10:34
Last Modified:	04 Oct 2023 12:54
URI:	https://archive.lstmed.ac.uk/id/eprint/17069

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