Fig. 1: Sputum Xpert MTB/RIF cycle threshold (Xpert CT) values associates with other measures of Mtb Burden (time to Mtb culture positivity (TTP) and smear microscopy grade), systemic inflammation (CRP), and radiographic evidence of disease severity (Timika score).

a Correlation between Xpert CT values and time to Mtb culture positivity in HIV-uninfected (blue) and HIV-infected (red) participants. b Correlation between smear microscopy grade and Xpert CT values. Horizontal lines represent the median values. c, d Correlations between Xpert CT values and plasma C-reactive protein and Timika score on chest radiograph. The solid lines indicate the linear regression and correlations between measures were performed using a two-tailed nonparametric Spearman test.