Question
Can you please tell me about the GeneXpert test for TB?
28 May 2020. Related: All topics, Complications and coinfections, Opportunistic infections, TB.
What is the use of Gene Expert for TB diagnosis?
Answer
GeneXpert is a new and better way to test for TB infection. It was approved by WHO in 2010 to be used in countries with high rates of TB.
Before this, sputum samples needed to be looked at under  microscope. The results though were less accurate and took more time, also needing a skilled lab worker. It was less effective in people living with HIV.
The GeneXpert test aims can diagnose both TB and rifampicin resistance in less than two hours. This device has high sensitivity and specificity in a variety of settings in both HIV-positive and HIV-negative patients.
For more detailed technical information on GeneXpert please see this link.
Further info
TB and HIV coinfection (from the i-Base training manual)
https://i-base.info/ttfa/5-ois-and-coinfections/7-tuberculosis-tb
UK (BHIVA) guidelines on HIV and TB coinfection.
https://www.bhiva.org/TB-guidelines
This answer was updated in May 2020 from a question from February 2012.
honestly, I have no idea – just a marketing decision I think :)
why we name it genexpert