Cerebrospinal fluid testing with Xpert MTB/RIF may not require complex sample processing protocols http://ow.ly/xkGjg

difference, similar to the up to 1.9 cycle difference seen across protocols. The similarity in cycle differences suggests that differences in cycle threshold values may be due to intra-assay variation and not related to the sample processing protocol used. These results show that centrifugation may not be necessary for testing CSF. Additionally, as CSF samples tend to be paucibacillary compared to sputum, less sample reagent may be needed to produce an adequate tuberculocidal effect. Further research, ideally on paired samples from TB meningitis patients, will help elucidate the most sensitive and safest method to test CSF with the Xpert MTB/RIF test, particularly in settings that may not have access to centrifugation.