Tuberculosis Variant with Rifampin Resistance Undetectable by Xpert MTB/RIF, Botswana
Chawangwa Modongo, Ivan Barilar, Qiao Wang, Tuduetso Molefi, Topo Makhondo, Stefan Niemann, Sanghyuk S. Shin
Abstract
GeneXpert MTB/RIF, a tool widely used for diagnosing tuberculosis, has limitations for detecting rifampin resistance in certain variants. We report transmission of a pre-extensively drug-resistant variant in Botswana that went undetected by GeneXpert. The public health impact of misdiagnosis emphasizes the need for comprehensive molecular testing to identify resistance and guide treatment.
Topics & Concepts
GeneXpert MTB/RIFTuberculosisVirologyMedicineDrug resistanceMycobacterium tuberculosisTransmission (telecommunications)BiologyMicrobiologyPathologyComputer scienceTelecommunicationsTuberculosis Research and EpidemiologyMycobacterium research and diagnosisPneumonia and Respiratory Infections