Xpert MTB/RIF Test in the Diagnosis of Pulmonary Tuberculosis

Currently in Taiwan, most clinicians use sputum smear and culture for the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) and apply nucleic acid amplification (NAA) test in a selected manner. In 2013, the World Health Organization issued conditional recommendation that Xpert MTB/RIF may be used rather than conventional microscopy and culture as the initial diagnostic test in all adults suspected of having TB. The newly published Taiwan guidelines for TB diagnosis and treatment has recommended NAA test, together with smear and culture, as the initial diagnostic test in individuals suspected of having TB. The investigators conduct a prospective study to investigate the use of Xpert MTB/RIF as the initial diagnostic test of pulmonary TB under a pragmatic trial design.