This study, conducted by KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation, shows that a simple stool processing method can detect Mycobacterium tuberculosis and resistance to rifampicin at any Xpert site in a routine setting.
Usually, sputum is used for the diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB). However, young children cannot easily cough up sputum. Other methods to get a sputum sample from children can be complex and painful. KNCV’s Simple One-Step (SOS) stool method uses the standard Xpert assay kit, without the need for additional supplies or equipment. The SOS stool method can potentially be rolled out to any Xpert site, bringing a bacteriologically confirmed diagnosis of TB in children closer to the point of care in an expedited manner.
After assessing that the SOS stool method could provide valid Xpert results, the researchers validated the SOS stool method by testing stool samples spiked with a laboratory strain of M.tuberculosis. After it passed validation, the performance of the method was tested by implementing the method into routine settings in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Here you can read more about the publication.