How accurate are Truenat assays for detecting pulmonary tuberculosis and rifampicin resistance?

On World TB Day, we highlight findings from a new review assessing the accuracy of Truenat assays for detecting pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) and rifampicin resistance in adults and adolescents.

TB remains a global health threat, with 10.8 million cases and 1.25 million deaths in 2023, according to the World Health Organization. The number of people with tuberculosis keeps increasing. Both false-positive results and false-negative results have a severe impact on individuals tested. It is crucial that there is early and accurate diagnosis to prevent the spread of TB and ensure timely treatment. 

This review included six studies with over 4000 participants, comparing Truenat assays to the WHO-recommended Xpert Ultra test. While Truenat MTB Plus showed promise, further research is needed to refine diagnostic tools, particularly for drug-resistant TB.

Key findings:

• Truenat MTB Plus was more accurate than Truenat MTB for detecting TB. However, Truenat MTB misidentified many people as having TB when they did not, raising concerns. 
•  Xpert Ultra was found to be more accurate than Truenat MTB.
• Evidence on Truenat’s accuracy for detecting rifampicin resistance was limited.

Read the full review here: https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD015543.pub2/full