Tuberculous arthritis: negative Xpert MTB/RIF assay does not rule out infection!. (29th June 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Davis, Rebecca; Higgens, Clare; Cosgrove, Catherine; Shur, Joshua; Arkell, Paul
• Is Part Of: BMJ case reports. Volume 2018
• Publication Date: 2018-06-29
• Subjects: infections -- musculoskeletal and joint disorders -- infectious diseases -- bone and joint infections -- tb and other respiratory infections; Medicine -- Case studies -- Periodicals; 610.5
• DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2018-224288
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1757-790X

Abstract

Abstract : We present a case of a 31-year-old man of Indian origin with no previous medical history who presented with an inflamed knee. Treatment for bacterial infection was unsuccessful, and needle aspiration of the left knee effusion/collection was smear and culture positive for tuberculosis (TB), despite Xpert MTB/RIF being falsely negative. The patient was commenced on quadruple therapy for TB and within 2 months had improved significantly with no clinical evidence of ongoing inflammation.