Bacterial pathogens in Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra-negative sputum samples of patients with presumptive tuberculosis in a high TB burden setting: a 16S rRNA analysis.

, one of the main findings of the study is that, in contrast to what we had hypothesized, 16S rRNA is not a method that can be used to assist in the management of patients with presumptive TB having a negative Xpert Ultra test. Even though this could be considered a negative finding, we believe it is an important finding to report as it highlights the need for further research using different approaches.