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Table 3 Comparison of Xpert MTB/RIF assay test characteristics and diagnostic accuracy when using unconcentrated and concentrated pericardial fluid samples

From: Diagnostic accuracy of quantitative PCR (Xpert MTB/RIF) for tuberculous pericarditis compared to adenosine deaminase and unstimulated interferon-γ in a high burden setting: a prospective study

Pericardial fluid type

Indeterminate rate (number/total number of assays performed)

Internal positive controlaCT-value (median, IQR)

Xpert MTB/RIF positive tests in definite and probable-TB patients

Unconcentrated (1 ml)

2.1% (0.3 to 4.6) 3/138

26.2 (25.1 to 27.4)

41.0% (32.1 to 49.9) 48/117

Concentrated/centrifuged pellet (20 ml)

10.4% (5.3 to 15.6) 14/134

26.2 (25.1 to 27.6)

52.9% (43.9 to 62.0) 62/117

P-valueb

0.005

0.9

0.07

  1. A median of 20 ml of pericardial fluid was centrifuged at 3,000 × g for 15 minutes with the pellet re-suspended in sterile PBS, followed by Xpert MTB. aInternal positive control: to evaluate potential PCR inhibition an unrelated fragment of fungal DNA (Bacillus globigii) is co-amplified in the reaction; b P-values compare unconcentrated and concentrated pericardial fluid samples for particular Xpert. CI, confidence interval; IQR: Interquartile range; TB, tuberculosis,