Performance outcomes of Xpert MTB/RIF (overall, uncentrifuged, and centrifuged), smear microscopy, clinical score, and a combination of Xpert MTB/RIF and clinical score.

Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and CS are expressed as percentages.aPerformance outcomes when definite TBM is compared with non-TBM (liquid culture or Amplicor PCR positivity for M.tb. served as a reference standard).bRepresents a comparison of sensitivity between microscopy and centrifuged Xpert MTB/RIF, p≤0.001; microscopy and uncentrifuged Xpert MTB/RIF, p≤0.001; microscopy and CS alone, p = 0.8; microscopy and CS plus centrifuged Xpert MTB/RIF, p≤0.001; microscopy with Xpert MTB/RIF (regardless of centrifugation or volume), p≤0.001.cRepresents a comparison of Xpert MTB/RIF sensitivity between centrifuged and uncentrifuged samples, p = 0.004.dRepresents a comparison of sensitivity between CS alone and CS combined with Xpert MTB/RIF when CS negative using centrifuged samples, p≤0.001.ePerformance outcomes when combined definite and probable TBM is compared to non-TBM (liquid culture or Amplicor PCR positivity for M.tb. and satisfaction of probable TBM, as defined by Thwaites et al. [16],[17], served as a reference standard).fDenotes a comparison of sensitivities between uncentrifuged and centrifuged Xpert MTB/RIF, p≤0.001.gDenotes comparison for agreement between uncentrifuged and centrifuged Xpert MTB/RIF, p≤0.006.