Long-Term GeneXpert Positivity after Treatment for Pulmonary Tuberculosis

Authors

• Luisa Costantini Department of Internal Medicine, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Lugano, Switzerland
• Marco Marando Department of Pneumology, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Lugano, Switzerland
• Pietro Gianella Department of Pneumology, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Lugano, Switzerland

luisa.costantini@eoc.ch

Keywords

Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB) is a cause of ill health and death worldwide. Since 2010, the diagnostic process has strongly relied on GeneXpert assays on biological specimens. Xpert MTB/RIF is an automated nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) for Mycobacterium tuberculosis and rifampicin resistance, endorsed by the World Health Organization and the US Food and Drug Administration. Xpert is used in many countries as the initial diagnostic test for tuberculosis. Nevertheless, the reliability of GeneXpert positive tests in patients with a history of TB is largely unknown, due to possible false-positive results (i.e., GeneXpert-positive but culture-negative patients). We present a case report of a patient with a history of pulmonary TB, who was GeneXpert positive but culture negative on bronchoalveolar lavage 22 months after completion of appropriate antitubercular therapy.