Accuracy of MTBC RD qPCR assay, smear microscopy and culture.

<p>Accuracy of MTBC RD qPCR assay, smear microscopy and culture.</p

Reference standard details for EPTB diagnosis.

<p>Reference standard details for EPTB diagnosis.</p

Study flowchart.

<p>^<b>a</b>CT: computerized tomography scan, MRI: magnetic resonance imaging; ^<b>b</b> Reference standard = MTBC culture + and /or at least two + CRS criteria; ^<b>c</b>CRS: Composite reference standard: (i) TB clinical symptoms, (ii) histology/cytology findings, (iii) radiological tests, (iv) therapeutic response to anti-TB treatment (ATT). ^<b>d</b>culture and CRS were negative and patient had improvement without ATT. +: positive.</p

MTBC species identification by multiplex MTBC-RD qPCR on extrapulmonary specimens in EPTB patients according to the reference standard^*.

<p>MTBC species identification by multiplex MTBC-RD qPCR on extrapulmonary specimens in EPTB patients according to the reference standard^{<a href="http://www.plosntds.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pntd.0005572#t004fn002" target="_blank">*</a>}.</p

QPCR positivity and negativity based on molecular specific RD¹ patterns for each species of MTBC.

<p>QPCR positivity and negativity based on molecular specific RD<a href="http://www.plosntds.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pntd.0005572#t001fn001" target="_blank">¹</a> patterns for each species of MTBC.</p