Characterization of tuberculosis diagnostics by GeneXpert MTB/Rif in Villa Clara, Cuba

GeneXpert MTB/RIF is a real-time polymerase chain reaction molecular test recommended since 2010 that is able to simultaneously detect the presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Rifampicin resistance within two hours. The aim of the research was to characterize the diagnosis of tuberculosis by GeneXpert MTB/RIF in the Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Sanitary Chemistry of the Provincial Centre of Hygiene Epidemiology and Microbiology of Villa Clara, Cuba in the period January 2018-December 2020. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted. The study population consisted of 710 samples from patients suspected of tuberculosis. Of the total number of samples studied, 131 (18.5%) were positive; Ciego de Avila and Camagüey were the provinces with the highest percentage of positive results, with 53.8% and 32.0%, respectively. Sputum was the predominant sample type with the highest percentage of positivity (20.7%). The group of those previously treated had the highest percentage of positivity (40.0%). It is concluded that the provinces of Ciego de Avila and Camagüey were the provinces with the highest percentages of positivity, and sputum proved to be the most useful sample for GeneXpert MTB/RIF.