PLoS medicine
-
Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) is difficult to diagnose promptly. The utility of the Xpert MTB/RIF test for the diagnosis of TBM remains unclear, and the effect of host- and sample-related factors on test performance is unknown. This study sought to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of Xpert MTB/RIF for the diagnosis of TBM. ⋯ Xpert MTB/RIF may be a good rule-in test for the diagnosis of TBM in HIV-infected individuals from a tuberculosis-endemic setting, particularly when a centrifuged CSF pellet is used. Further studies are required to confirm these findings in different settings. Please see later in the article for the Editors' Summary.
-
Adithya Cattamanchi and colleagues reflect on recent research by Michael Levin and coworkers into the use of whole blood mRNA expression signatures to detect tuberculosis. The authors highlight challenges faced in getting this promising technology into clinics in low-resource settings. Please see later in the article for the Editors' Summary.
-
Comment
Modelling the strategic use of antiretroviral therapy for the treatment and prevention of HIV.
Nathan Ford and Gottfried Hirnschall reflect on recent research by Jan Hontelez and colleagues published in this week's PLOS Medicine. The authors argue that the future HIV modeling efforts should focus on helping programs make choices about which interventions need to be prioritized in order to achieve the levels of enrollment and retention in care required to maximize the prevention benefit of ART. Please see later in the article for the Editors' Summary.
-
David Boulware discusses the challenges of diagnosing tuberculous meningitis and the implications of the study by Patel and colleagues using the Xpert MTB/RIF assay for diagnosis. Please see later in the article for the Editors' Summary.
-
Seye Abimbola and colleagues provide a view from Nigeria, Pakistan, and Afghanistan on global efforts to eradicate polio in those countries. Please see later in the article for the Editors' Summary.