- Connelly, John T;
- Andama, Alfred;
- Grant, Benjamin D;
- Ball, Alexey;
- Mwebe, Sandra;
- Asege, Lucy;
- Nakaye, Martha;
- Lopez, Brianda Barrios;
- Hsieh, Helen V;
- Katumba, David;
- Mukwatamundu, Job;
- Nalubega, Mayimuna;
- Hunt, Victoria M;
- Burkot, Stephen;
- Ramachandraiah, Harisha;
- Choudhary, Alok;
- Ignatowicz, Lech;
- Weigl, Bernhard H;
- Bachman, Christine;
- Mulondo, Jerry;
- Semitala, Fred;
- Worodria, William;
- Pinter, Abraham;
- Hamasur, Beston;
- Bell, David;
- Cattamanchi, Adithya;
- Somoskovi, Akos
- Editor(s): Quinn, Frederick
Detection of tuberculosis at the point-of-care (POC) is limited by the low sensitivity of current commercially available tests. We describe a diagnostic accuracy field evaluation of a prototype urine Tuberculosis Lipoarabinomannan Lateral Flow Assay (TB-LAM LFA) in both HIV-positive and HIV-negative patients using fresh samples with sensitivity and specificity as the measures of accuracy. This prototype combines a proprietary concentration system with a sensitive LFA. In a prospective study of 292 patients with suspected pulmonary tuberculosis in Uganda, the clinical sensitivity and specificity was compared against a microbiological reference standard including sputum Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra and solid and liquid culture. TB-LAM LFA had an overall sensitivity of 60% (95%CI 51-69%) and specificity of 80% (95%CI 73-85%). When comparing HIV-positive (N = 86) and HIV-negative (N = 206) patients, there was no significant difference in sensitivity (sensitivity difference 8%, 95%CI -11% to +24%, p = 0.4351) or specificity (specificity difference -9%, 95%CI -24% to +4%, p = 0.2051). Compared to the commercially available Alere Determine TB-LAM Ag test, the TB-LAM LFA prototype had improved sensitivity in both HIV-negative (difference 49%, 95%CI 37% to 59%, p<0.0001) and HIV-positive patients with CD4+ T-cell counts >200cells/μL (difference 59%, 95%CI 32% to 75%, p = 0.0009). This report is the first to show improved performance of a urine TB LAM test for HIV-negative patients in a high TB burden setting. We also offer potential assay refinement solutions that may further improve sensitivity and specificity.