Availability and use of molecular microbiological and immunological tests for the diagnosis of tuberculosis in europe.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Currently only limited data exist regarding the availability and clinical use of molecular and immunological tests for tuberculosis (TB) in the European setting.

Methods

Web-based survey of Paediatric-Tuberculosis-Network-European-Trialsgroup (ptbnet) and Tuberculosis-Network-European-Trialsgroup (TBnet) members conducted June to December 2013. Both networks comprise clinicians, microbiologists, epidemiologists and researchers predominately based in Europe.

Results

191 healthcare professionals from 31 European countries participated. Overall, 26.8% of respondents did not have access to the Xpert MTB/RIF assay; only 44.6% had access to the assay in-house. However, a substantial proportion had access to other commercial and/or non-commercial PCR-based assay

SUBMITTER: Tebruegge M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4055680 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature