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Review
. 2022 Mar 23;11(4):389.
doi: 10.3390/pathogens11040389.

Diagnostic Advances in Childhood Tuberculosis-Improving Specimen Collection and Yield of Microbiological Diagnosis for Intrathoracic Tuberculosis

Eric Wobudeya  1 , Maryline Bonnet  2 , Elisabetta Ghimenton Walters  3   4 , Pamela Nabeta  5 , Rinn Song  6 , Wilfred Murithi  7 , Walter Mchembere  8 , Bunnet Dim  9 , Jean-Voisin Taguebue  10 , Joanna Orne-Gliemann  11 , Mark P Nicol  12   13 , Olivier Marcy  11
Affiliations
Review

Diagnostic Advances in Childhood Tuberculosis-Improving Specimen Collection and Yield of Microbiological Diagnosis for Intrathoracic Tuberculosis

Eric Wobudeya et al. Pathogens. .

Abstract

There is no microbiological gold standard for childhood tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis. The paucibacillary nature of the disease, challenges in sample collection in young children, and the limitations of currently available microbiological tests restrict microbiological confirmation of intrathoracic TB to the minority of children. Recent WHO guidelines recommend the use of novel rapid molecular assays as initial diagnostic tests for TB and endorse alternative sample collection methods for children. However, the uptake of these tools in high-endemic settings remains low. In this review, we appraise historic and new microbiological tests and sample collection techniques that can be used for the diagnosis of intrathoracic TB in children. We explore challenges and possible ways to improve diagnostic yield despite limitations, and identify research gaps to address in order to improve the microbiological diagnosis of intrathoracic TB in children.

Keywords: children; diagnosis; microbiological tests; sample collection methods; tuberculosis.

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Conflict of interest statement

All co-authors reported no conflict of interest.

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