A systematic review on utilizing stool specimens for rapid molecular diagnosis of pediatric tuberculosis [author]: Baloaloa,Eisenhower C., Billones,Faith Elijah M., Dela Cruz,Azrielle Minna L., Garcia,Justine Mhae R. Guyapa, Angel Erika S., Lariosa,Jahzeel Evi F., Madamba,Marikabelle Maxinne B., Molina,Charmaine Nikki G. Samillano,Ma. Nicole C., Valdez,Jan Vincent R., Villones,Laela Bianca B.

Includes Appendix

ABSTRACT:
Pulmonary tuberculosis (TB), brought about by the Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB), is an airborne infection commonly affecting the lungs. Over one million children worldwide were diagnosed with tuberculosis each year, thus, considering it as one of the primary factors contributing to fatalities in the pediatric population. This study sought to provide relevant and
consolidated data from other studies, focusing on the diagnostic efficacy of Xpert MTB/Rif Assay and Xpert MTB/Rif Ultra to influence tuberculosis diagnostic approaches and to potentially advocate for the use of stool samples as an alternative to invasive sputum sampling. The researchers used Researchgate, PubMed, and American Journal of Microbiology to search for
eligible studies based on the eligibility criteria and to properly conclude if the studies made it to final screening, QUADAS-2 tool is utilized. This paper is statistically treated using Stata 17. 241 studies were retrieved from reliable databases, 53 were subjected to risk of bias assessment, finally only 9 studies were eligible for inclusion. GeneXpert MTB/Rif Assay pooled sensitivity was 62.0% (95% Cl: 42% - 78%), the overall specificity on the other hand was 100% (95% Cl: 99% - 100%). With GeneXpert MTB/Rif Ultra, its overall weighted sensitivity was 57% (95% Cl: 47% - 66%), ranging from 38% to 69%. Overall specificity of stool GeneXpert MTB/Rif Ultra was 98% (95% Cl: 92% - 100%), ranging from 90% to 100%. GeneXpert MTB/Rif Assay similarly tends to be more specific as compared to GeneXpert MTB/Rif Ultra. Specimen handling, disease burden
on patients, amount of specimen provided by the patients, and specific processing methods can influence the increased sensitivity and specificity of both the GeneXpert MTB/Rif Assay and GeneXpert MTB/Rif Ultra.
KEYWORDS: Pulmonary Tuberculosis, Xpert MTB/Rif Assay, Xpert MTB/Rif Ultra Assay

School of Medical Technology