Table 2 |
|
| Utility of Determine TB-LAM point-of-care assay when used in combination with other diagnostic tests for HIV-associated tuberculosis (TB) | |
| Combination of diagnostic tests | Advantages |
| Sputum smear microscopy + Determine TB-LAM | · Incremental sensitivity. |
| · Smear microscopy diagnoses most infectious patients | |
| · Determine TB-LAM provides rapid point-of-care diagnosis in those with high mortality risk permitting immediate initiation of TB treatment. | |
| · Low-cost. | |
| Chest radiology + Determine TB-LAM | · Determine TB-LAM can provide rapid point-of-care assessment of patients with abnormal chest radiographs, increasing the specificity for TB diagnosis. |
| · Small incremental cost to radiology. | |
| Sputum culture + Determine TB-LAM | · Determine TB-LAM greatly expedites TB diagnosis in the sickest patients with highest mortality risk. |
| · Small incremental cost to culture. | |
| Sputum Xpert MTB/RIF + Determine TB-LAM | · Determine TB-LAM adds little diagnostic sensitivity when used with Xpert MTB/RIF, but provides rapid point-of-care assessment. When Xpert is located in laboratories precluding same-day testing, Determine TB-LAM will expedite TB treatment in those with highest mortality risk, allowing immediate initiation of TB treatment. |
| · Small incremental cost to Xpert MTB/RIF. | |
Lawn BMC Infectious Diseases 2012 12:103 doi:10.1186/1471-2334-12-103
