C-reactive protein as a screening test for HIV-associated pulmonary tuberculosis prior to antiretroviral therapy in South Africa.

ABSTRACT:

Background

There is an urgent need for more accurate screening tests for tuberculosis(TB). We assessed the diagnostic accuracy of C-reactive protein (CRP) as a screening test for active TB in HIV-infected ambulatory adults.

Methods

CRP levels were measured in blood collected at the time of HIV testing.Diagnostic accuracy of CRP for pulmonary TB was calculated (reference standard: TB culture), compared to the WHO 4-symptom screen, consisting of cough, fever, night sweats, and weight loss. Diagnostic accuracy was also calculated for CRP in a larger cohort of HIV-infected adults with a positive symptom screen (reference standard: clinical or microbiological TB).

Results

Among 425 HIV-infected outpatients systematically tested for pulmonary TB, TB culture was positive in

SUBMITTER: Shapiro AE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6059967 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature