Impact of scaling up Xpert (R) MTB/RIF testing for the detection of rifampicin-resistant TB cases in Karachi, Pakistan

摘要

SETTING: Pakistan ranks fourth among the countries with a high burden of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), with only 19.2% of the 15 000 estimated incident cases being notified. Increasing treatment coverage for MDR-TB is a key priority for Pakistan's National Tuberculosis Programme. The World Health Organization recommends the use of the Xpert (R) MTB/RIF assay as the first-line diagnostic test for individuals with presumed TB.