Table 3.

Main characteristics of Xpert MTB/RIF test and IS6110-TaqMan assay

Characteristic	Xpert MTB/RIF	IS6110-TaqMan
Work flow design	On demand	Batch mode
Sample format	Individual cartridge	Microplate, 96 wells
Sample preparation	Liquefaction and inactivation of sample (15 min/sample)	Three cycles of boiling-freezing and incubation with proteinase K (∼20 min)
DNA extraction	Integrated in individual cartridge	Automated with MagNa pure LC system in batch mode (30 min^{^a})
Time to results	∼2 h	∼2 h 45 min^{^a}
Hands-on time	∼3 min/sample	∼15 min^{^a}
Cost	50 euros (∼$65)/sample	11 euros (∼$15)/sample^{^a}