The three-gene Xpert Host Response signature for pediatric tuberculosis screening: A prospective diagnostic accuracy study.

Background: Blood-based gene signatures offer potential as a near point-of-care tuberculosis (TB) screening tool. We examined the accuracy of the GeneXpert MTB Host Response (Xpert-HR) cartridge to screen for TB in children.

Methods: We enrolled children under 15 years from The Gambia and Uganda being evaluated for pulmonary TB.

A Prospective Evaluation of a Three-Gene Host Response Signature to Classify Tuberculosis Severity in Children.

Background: Children with non-severe TB may benefit from short-course treatment, but point-of-care tools are needed to stratify disease severity. We prospectively evaluated the Cepheid Xpert MTB-Host Response (HR) prototype cartridge for distinguishing TB severity in children with pulmonary TB (PTB) in The Gambia and Uganda.

Methods: We included children <15 with microbiologically confirmed or clinically diagnosed unconfirmed PTB.

The Accuracy of the Uganda National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Program diagnostic algorithm and the World Health Organisation treatment decision algorithms for childhood tuberculosis: A retrospective analysis.

Diagnosing childhood pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) is a challenge. This led the Uganda National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Program (NTLP) to develop a clinical treatment decision algorithm (TDA) for children. However, there is limited data on its accuracy, and how it compares to new World Health Organization (WHO) TB TDAs for children.

The socioeconomic burden of pediatric tuberculosis and role of child-sensitive social protection.

Background: Households of children with tuberculosis (TB) experience financial and social hardships, but TB-specific social protection initiatives primarily focus on adults.

Methods: We conducted a single-arm, pilot study of multi-component supportive benefits for children with pulmonary TB in Kampala, Uganda. At diagnosis, participants received in-kind coverage of direct medical costs, a cash transfer, and patient navigation.

The Role of C-Reactive Protein as a Triage Tool for Pulmonary Tuberculosis in Children.

Background: C-reactive protein (CRP) has shown promise as a triage tool for pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) in adults living with the human immunodeficiency virus. We performed the first assessment of CRP for TB triage in children.

Methods: Symptomatic children less than 15 years old were prospectively enrolled in Kampala, Uganda.

A Prospective Evaluation of Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra for Childhood Pulmonary Tuberculosis in Uganda.

Background: Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra (Xpert Ultra) has improved the sensitivity to detect pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) in adults. However, there have been limited prospective evaluations of its diagnostic accuracy in children.

Methods: We enrolled children undergoing assessment for pulmonary TB in Kampala, Uganda, over a 12-month period.