Tuberculosis (TB) testing
TB
AMPLIFICATION
For persons reporting symptoms consistent of active TB, we will use a point-of-care TB test once available. The Cepheid GeneXpert test (Sunnyvale, CA) is approved for use in South Africa, and a portable version (Omni) is expected to be available. Both the GeneXpert and the Omni systems use sputum specimens (2 mL unprocessed sputum) that are processed for TB detection by Cartridge Based Nucleic Acid Amplification testing (CB-NAAT) using Xpert MTB/RiF assay technology. Persons who screen positive for active TB will be provided their test results and referred to the clinic or appropriate clinical study for further workup and treatment. Until this test is available, we will use symptom screening for active TB though it is non-specific and may exclude persons who are eligible for ART.