New UMN Medical School Study Identifies “Game Changer” for Diagnosis of Tuberculosis Meningitis

A new study published by The Lancet Infectious Diseases, co-authored by Dr. David Boulware, Department of Medicine, has identified Xpert Ultra as a superior method for identifying Tuberculosis Meningitis. The study finds that when compared to other diagnostic methods – including Xpert MTB/RIF, as recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) – Xpert Ultra consistently showed more accurate results.

“TB Meningitis is the most severe and deadly form of Tuberculosis and notoriously difficult to diagnose by current methods, which can detect TB less than 50 percent of the time," says study author Dr. David Boulware. "However, Xpert Ultra could allow earlier and more accurate diagnosis, meaning treatment can be made available as early as possible." Boulware is the Lois & Richard King Distinguished Associate Professor in the Division of Infectious Diseases and International Medicine at the University of Minnesota Medical School.

"Xpert Ultra may be a big step forward in allowing for rapid and more accurate diagnosis. While the test isn't perfect, it appears to be an improvement,” says lead study author Nathan Bahr, M.D.

See the study for more or read an accompanying editorial which calls Xpert Ultra a “game changer.”