Diagnostic accuracy of Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra for tuberculous meningitis in a clinical practice setting of China

A comparative performance evaluation of the novel Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra (Xpert Ultra) and MTB/RIF Xpert (Xpert) for tuberculous meningitis (TBM) diagnosis was performed. The cerebrospinal fluids of suspected TBM patients were collected consecutively and subjected to smear microscopy, culture, Xpert, and Xpert Ultra. In total, 160 patients were recruited. Xpert Ultra produced a higher sensitivity (45%, 34 of 76) than Xpert (28%, 21 of 76; P = 0.001) and culture (18%, 14 of 76; P < 0.001), respectively. Inclusion of Xpert Ultra outcomes increased the percentage of definite TBM case from 36% (27 of 76) to 51% (39 of 76). Both Xpert Ultra and Xpert accurately identified the one rifampicin (RIF)-resistant and the 5 RIF-sensitive cases defined by phenotypic drug sensitivity test. The specificities of all of the culture, Xpert and Xpert Ultra were 100% (45 of 45). Xpert Ultra outperformed both Xpert and culture for TBM diagnosis, which may speed up the appropriate treatment of patients in clinical practice.