TB testing in HIV-positive patients prior to antiretroviral treatment.

TB diagnosis in patients with HIV is challenging due to the lower sensitivities across tests. Molecular tests are preferred and the Xpert MTB/RIF assay has limitations in lower-income settings. We evaluated the performance of loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) and the lipoarabinomannan (LAM) test in HIV-positive, ART-naïve clinic patients.

Detecting using the loop-mediated isothermal amplification test in South Africa.

Setting: In South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal is the epicentre of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic, where approximately 70% of people with tuberculosis (TB) are co-infected with HIV. Undiagnosed TB contributes to high mortality in HIV-infected patients. Delays in diagnosing TB and treatment initiation result in prolonged transmission and increased infectiousness.

PIMA™ point-of-care testing for CD4 counts in predicting antiretroviral initiation in HIV-infected individuals in KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.

Introduction: Limited information is available on the usefulness of the PIMA™ analyser in predicting antiretroviral treatment eligibility and outcome in a primary healthcare clinic setting in disadvantaged communities in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Materials And Methods: The study was conducted under the eThekwini Health Unit, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. Comparison of the enumeration of CD4+ T-cells in 268 patients using the PIMA™ analyser and the predicate National Health Laboratory Services (NHLS) was undertaken during January to July 2013.