Xpert for Tuberculosis: Evaluating a New Diagnostic (XTEND)

ISRCTN ISRCTN68905568
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN68905568
Secondary identifying numbers XTEND - Xpert MTB/RIF - TB
Submission date
25/10/2011
Registration date
04/11/2011
Last edited
30/03/2017
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Infections and Infestations
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
Tuberculosis (TB) is an infection that mainly affects the lungs, caused by a type of bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The Xpert MTB/RIF is an automated diagnostic test that can identify Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) DNA and resistance to the anti-tuberculosis drug rifampicin (RIF). The aim of this study is to find out whether using Xpert MTB/Rif reduces early mortality (death) in patients suspected of having TB, and its cost-effectiveness when used in a routine setting. The overall goal is to better understand how Xpert MTB/RIF should be best used when rolled out nationally in South Africa.

Who can participate?
Patients aged 18 and over suspected of having TB

What does the study involve?
Participating laboratories are randomly allocated to one of two groups. Laboratories in one group test patients’ sputum (phlegm) using a routine TB test (smear) and the other group use the new Xpert MTB/RIF test. Patients who are found to have multi-drug-resistant TB are given the appropriate treatment. After a 6-month follow-up period, the outcomes of the TB patients are compared and the costs and effectiveness of the MTB/RIF test are calculated.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Not provided at time of registration

Where is the study run from?
The Aurum Institute (South Africa)

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
November 2011 to February 2014

Who is funding the study?
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (USA)

Who is the main contact?
Prof. Gavin Churchyard
gchurchyard@auruminstitute.org

Contact information

Prof Gavin Churchyard
Scientific

The Aurum Institute
29 Queens Road
The Ridge
Parktown
Johannesburg
2193
South Africa

Phone +27 (0)10 590 1300
Email gchurchyard@auruminstitute.org

Study information

Study designPragmatic randomised trial
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designRandomised controlled trial
Study setting(s)Hospital
Study typeDiagnostic
Participant information sheet Not available in web format, please use the contact details to request a patient information sheet
Scientific titleXpert MTB/RIF for diagnosis of tuberculosis: evaluating impact and cost-effectiveness in the routine roll-out in South Africa
Study acronymXTEND
Study objectivesThe overall goal of the project is to better understand how Xpert Mycobacterium tuberculosis/ resistance to rifampicin (MTB/RIF) should be best used under conditions of national roll-out by determining its effectiveness and cost effectiveness, and modelling these data to project the impact at population level in South Africa.
Ethics approval(s)1. University of the Witwatersrand, 10/10/2011, ref: M110827
2. The National South African Department of Health (SANCTR, DoH), ref: DOH-27-1011-3849
3. The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 07/10/2011, ref: 6041
4. University of Cape Town, 20/10/2010, ref: 363/2011
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedTuberculosis
InterventionThe intervention is the implementation of the GeneXpert MTB/RIF Diagnostic Instrument at randomised laboratories. The intervention laboratories will receive Xpert MTB/RIF, with one Xpert MTB/RIF test replacing the two smears at diagnosis. Patients that are sputum Xpert MTB/RIF positive (rifampicin-sensitive) will have a second sputum specimen collected for smear microscopy, to enable reporting of treatment outcomes according to World Health Organisation (WHO) definitions. Patients that are sputum Xpert MTB/RIF rifampicin resistant will be initiated on treatment for Multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) pending confirmation of drug susceptibility testing (DST) on positive cultures.

The control laboratories will continue to operate the existing standard of care, as per South African National Guideline, with two smears done for all TB suspects, and culture done if smear negative and symptomatic, if high MDR-risk.
Intervention typeOther
Primary outcome measureThe effectiveness of Xpert MTB/RIF in reducing early mortality in TB suspects
Secondary outcome measures1. The primary default rate among newly diagnosed TB cases
2. The time from enrolment to start of treatment for drug susceptible TB and appropriate treatment for drug-resistant TB
3. The incremental cost per life saved and disability-adjusted life year (DALY) averted, including reductions in transmission of drug susceptible and drug resistant TB, from a provider and client perspective
Overall study start date01/11/2011
Completion date28/02/2014

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupAdult
Lower age limit18 Years
SexBoth
Target number of participants4400
Key inclusion criteria1. The laboratories are placed in four Provinces geographically separate in serving a mix of clinics that have been allocated a GX16 Machine
2. Tuberculosis (TB) suspected participants contribute towards samples evaluated in the laboratories
3. Male and female participants
4. Aged 18 and above
Key exclusion criteria1. The laboratories part of other TB Xpert MTB/RIF evaluations
2. Laboratories which already have an Xpert MTB/RIF instrument
3. Laboratories which do not comply with standard of care TB diagnostics
Date of first enrolment01/11/2011
Date of final enrolment28/02/2014

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • South Africa

Study participating centre

The Aurum Institute
Johannesburg
2193
South Africa

Sponsor information

Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (USA)
Charity

East Coast Office
PO Box 6176
Ben Franklin Station
Washington DC
20044
United States of America

Website http://www.gatesfoundation.org
ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/0456r8d26

Funders

Funder type

Charity

Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (USA)
Government organisation / Trusts, charities, foundations (both public and private)
Alternative name(s)
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Gates Foundation, BMGF, B&MGF, GF
Location
United States of America

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareNo
IPD sharing plan summaryNot provided at time of registration
Publication and dissemination planNot provided at time of registration
IPD sharing plan

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
Results article results 01/08/2015 Yes No

Editorial Notes

30/03/2017: Plain English summary added.