Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42021990›Full record

ArticleJournal of clinical tuberculosis and other mycobacterial diseases2026

Diagnostic utility of Xpert MTB/RIF ultra in clinically suspected tuberculous lymphadenitis in low-burden settings: a single center experience from Saudi Arabia.

Manar Almutairi, Reema Alalmaee, Elaf Alamer, Shaden Alharbi, Gadah Aljarallah, Raghad Almukhayzim, Nawaf Albuhayjan, Reem Abanamy

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of clinical tuberculosis and other mycobacterial diseases, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Manar AlmutairiDepartment of Medicine, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Reema AlalmaeeDepartment of Medicine, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Elaf AlamerDepartment of Medicine, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Shaden AlharbiDepartment of Medicine, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Gadah AljarallahDepartment of Medicine, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Raghad AlmukhayzimDepartment of Medicine, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Nawaf AlbuhayjanDepartment of Medicine, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Reem AbanamyDepartment of Medicine, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is a major global health issue, particularly among HIV-positive individuals. In Saudi Arabia, the incidence has declined to 8.4 per 100,000 but remains a concern among high-risk groups. Extrapulmonary TB, especially tuberculous lymphadenitis (TBL), is challenging to diagnose due to the low sensitivity of smear, culture, and histopathology. Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra (Xpert-Ultra) offers improved detection in paucibacillary disease, though local evidence remains limited. Method: We retrospectively reviewed 85 adult patients with suspected TBL at King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh (2012-2024). Clinical, radiological, histopathological, and microbiological data were collected. The sensitivity of Xpert-Ultra, GeneXpert, and ProbTec was assessed against a composite reference standard comprising confirmed and presumed TB cases. Result: Among 85 patients, the majority were males (55.3%) and Saudi nationals (91.8%), with most aged 41-65 years (36.5%). Cervical lymphadenopathy was the most common presentation (64.7%). Necrotizing granulomas were observed in 78.8% of biopsies. Culture was positive in 43.6% (17/39), while AFB staining was detected in 14.8% (12/81). Overall, PCR sensitivity was 38.8% (33/85). Xpert-Ultra achieved higher sensitivity (41.3%) compared with GeneXpert (31.6%) and ProbTec (33.3%). Xpert-Ultra missed two culture-positive cases but detected three culture-negative ones. PCR positivity was associated with extensive lymph node involvement and culture positivity. Conclusion: Xpert-Ultra outperformed older molecular assays but remained insufficient as a standalone diagnostic tool for TBL. Its complementary role alongside histopathology and culture supports its integration into diagnostic pathways, potentially improving time to initiation of treatment.

Indexed as

Extrapulmonary tuberculosisGeneXpert UltraMolecular diagnosticsSaudi ArabiaTuberculous lymphadenitis

Identifiers

PMID42021990
PMCPMC13096962

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.