Bottlenecks and recent advancements in detecting Mycobacterium tuberculosis in patients with HIV

Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a leading cause of deaths among patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome patients. Early diagnosis of TB is essential for administering timely anti-TB therapy and improving health outcomes, particularly in the people living with HIV. However, conventional techniques used to detect Mycobacterium tuberculosis have significant drawbacks: for example, sputum smear microscopy has low sensitivity, and liquid culture is time-consuming in patients with HIV-TB co-infection due to low sputum production. In addition, while immunological-based methods involving tuberculin skin testing and interferon gamma release assays are commonly used for auxiliary TB diagnosis, they are often inaccurate in immunodeficient patients. Molecular techniques such as line probe assays,

Improving pulmonary infection diagnosis with metagenomic next-generation sequencing of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid

“…These methods are favoured for their relative simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and their high levels of sensitivity and specificity [12–15]. However, it’s worth noting that these tests have a limited pathogen spectrum and may occasionally result in missed diagnoses [16, 17].…”

From bench to bedside: Opportunities and challenges for iLABMED

“…They suggested that multiple diagnostic tests should be considered and employed for making an inappropriate diagnosis in this situation. Newer emerging technologies like whole genome sequencing and mass spectrometry are anticipated [11]. Sun and Xiao summarized the clinical characteristics of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection in the context of post-COVID in China.…”

“…The application scenarios of POCT are becoming wider, to which many traditional detection methods are expanding. In several studies published in iLABMED also mentioned the possibility of expanding conventional assays to POCT, such as CRISPR/Cas system-based nucleic acid detection [25] and lateral flow lipoarabinomannan for HIV [11]. Other communicable diseases including viral-associated pulmonary aspergillosis [26], sexually transmitted infections [27], hepatitis viruses [28], along with non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease [29], and neurological diseases [30] were reportedly detected with POCT.…”