Detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Rifampicin Resistance by Xpert MTB/RIF at the Abidjan Military Hospital, Côte d’Ivoire: A Retrospective Laboratory Study, 2024

Background: Tuberculosis remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality, and rapid molecular assays provide information on both the detection of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex and rifampicin resistance. Objective: To describe Xpert MTB/RIF findings at the Tuberculosis Diagnosis and Treatment Center of the Abidjan Military Hospital during 2024. Methods: This retrospective, descriptive study reviewed 400 eligible laboratory testing records from 1 January to 31 December 2024. Age, sex, specimen type, and Xpert MTB/RIF results were summarised. Results: MTB was detected in 97 of 400 tests (24.25%), and was not detected in 303 (75.75%). The reported mean age was 37.7 years; 64.8% of the tested population was male. Sputum specimens accounted for 361 (90.25%) tests and gastric specimens for 39 (9.75%). Among the 97 MTB-positive tests, rifampicin resistance was detected in nine (9.28%). Conclusion: Approximately one-quarter of Xpert tests in this hospital sample detected MTB, and rifampicin resistance was detected in nine MTB-positive results. These findings describe a selected laboratory population and do not establish multidrug-resistant tuberculosis or community prevalence.