Tuberculosis treatment outcomes among people living with HIV diagnosed using Xpert MTB/RIF versus sputum-smear microscopy in Botswana: a stepped-wedge cluster randomised trial

Agizew, Tefera; Chihota, Violet; Nyirenda, Sambayawo; Tedla, Zegabriel; Auld, Andrew F.; Mathebula, Unami; Mathoma, Anikie; Boyd, Rosanna; Date, Anand; Pals, Sherri L.; Lekone, Phenyo; Finlay, Alyssa

doi:10.1186/s12879-019-4697-5

Tuberculosis treatment outcomes among people living with HIV diagnosed using Xpert MTB/RIF versus sputum-smear microscopy in Botswana: a stepped-wedge cluster randomised trial

Background Xpert® MTB/RIF (Xpert) has high sensitivity for diagnosing tuberculosis (TB) compared to sputum-smear microscopy (smear) and can reduce time-to-diagnosis, time-to-treatment and potentially unfavorable patient-level treatment outcome. Methods People living with HIV (PLHIV) initiating an…