Table 6. Diagnostic test costs, per specimen tested and for a testing program including 7000 sputum specimens.
| Diagnostic test(s) | Cost per specimen tested ($) | Cost for testing 7000 sputa ($) |
| Smear + MGITa | 15.55 | 108,850 |
| DST | 34.44 | – |
| Smear + MGITa + DST | – | 115,360d |
| Xpert MTB/RIFb,c | 23.67 | 165,690 |
Abbreviations: MGIT, Mycobacterial Growth Indicator Tube; DST: drug susceptibility testing using the MGIT SIRE system.
a
includes the cost of sputum decontamination ($2.35/sputum specimen).
b
does not include the cost of sputum decontamination.
c
unit cost of Xpert MTB/RIF cartridges was $16.80.
d
incorporates the assumption that DST is performed for the 2.7% of specimens with growth of M. tuberculosis in culture.