%0 Journal Article
%T Increasing Detection and Confirmation of Tuberculosis in Children in Southern Ethiopia: Pooled Samples Tested Using Microscopy and Xpert
%A Daniel G. Datiko
%A Mulualem A. Gadena
%A Mubarek A. Yassin
%A Kefyalew T. Garie
%A Moges D. Ormago
%A Luis E. Cuevas
%J Journal of Tuberculosis Research
%P 215-226
%@ 2329-8448
%D 2018
%I Scientific Research Publishing
%R 10.4236/jtr.2018.63020
%X <strong>Background:</strong> Childhood tuberculosis accounts for about 10% of estimated TB cases in the world. Despite advances in diagnostics, childhood TB remains a challenge. We evaluated pooling method and testing with GeneXpert MTB/RIF in southern Ethiopia. <strong>Methods:</strong> This is a cross-sectional study in presumptive TB children &lt; 15 years. Structured questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic and clinical data. Two sputum or gastric aspirate sample were collected and examined by ZN and Xpert MTB/RIF for 1<sup>st</sup>, 2<sup>nd</sup> and pooled samples. <strong>Results:</strong> Of 340 presumptive TB cases enrolled, 96 and 244 children submitted gastric aspirate and sputum samples respectively. Of 1020 samples collected (282 gastric aspirate and 738 sputum samples), 38 (3.7%) were positive by Xpert (10 (3.5%) from gastric aspirate and 28 (3.8%) from sputum sample). Similarly, 8 (1.2%) of sputum samples were positive by ZN but none from gastric aspirate. Of 244 children who submitted sputum samples, 3 (1.2%) were bacteriologically positive compared to 12 (4.9%) by Xpert. Of 96 children who submitted gastric aspirate samples, none were positive by ZN while 5 (5.2%) were positive by Xpert. Of bacteriologically confirmed TB cases 0.9% was by ZN and 4.7% by Xpert, an increase of 3.8%. Pooled testing increased positivity by 0.3% for ZN and 1.5% by Xpert compared to the 1<sup>st</sup> sample. <strong>Conclusions:</strong> Xpert MTB/RIF testing increases yield compared to ZN testing for gastric aspirate samples. The same-day approach and pooling samples improves efficient use of cartridge, reduce the number of visits for seeking diagnosis and save resources.
%K TB
%K Children
%K GeneXpert MTB/RIF
%K Pooled Sample
%U http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=87451