WHO backs rapid test for TB - If only we had rapid treatment

I heard on NPR this morning that the WHO (Keith Moon died 32 years ago) is supporting the new rapid TB test made by Cepheid (MTB/RIF test).  You can read more about the test characteristics in the recent NEJM article. They reported 98% sensitivity in smear-positive patients but only 73% sensitivity in smear-negative patients after a single test.  Sensitivity rises to 85% after a second test and to 90% after a third test.  The test was very good at identifying rifampin-resistant and rifampin-sensitive strains (both around 98% of the time).

The NPR article states that the processor costs $64,000 in US but could be $17,000 for developing countries.  Tests will cost $17.  If you need to do three tests in smear-negative patients to rule out TB with a sensitivity of 90%, it would cost $51. I wonder if developing country budgets can absorb that cost?

Comments

Most Read Posts (Last 30 Days)