Association of Radiological Findings with the Xpert MTB/RIF Test in Patients with Suspected Pulmonary Tuberculosis

Purpose Tuberculosis (TB) treatment is often carried out empirically, based on clinical and radiological findings. Chest X-ray (CXR) has good sensitivity but poor specificity in TB diagnosis. Xpert MTB/RIF (Mycobacterium tuberculosis/Rifampicin) is increasingly used in many countries as the initial diagnostic test for TB. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the association of radiological findings with the Xpert MTB/RIF test in patients with suspected pulmonary TB. Methods Cross-sectional study in an outpatient TB clinic. Sputum AFB smear, culture, Xpert MTB/RIF, and CXR were collected in patients with suspected pulmonary TB. Results During the study period, 312 patients met the inclusion criteria and were included in the analysis. Among Xpert MTB/RIF-positive cases, the radiographic patterns were classified as typical of TB, compatible of TB, and normal in 78 (70.3%), 31 (27.9%), and 2 (1.8%) patients, respectively. CXRs were classified as typical of TB, compatible of TB, and normal in 20 (10.0%), 25 (12.4%), and 152 (75.6%) patients, respectively, in Xpert MTB/RIF-negative cases. Conclusions We found an association between radiographic patterns and Xpert MTB/RIF results in patients with suspected pulmonary TB. These results confirm the current recommended diagnosis algorithm.