Scaling up diagnosis of TB and drug-resistant TB

Globally, diagnosis of TB and drug-resistant TB remains a challenge with a third of people with TB and two-thirds of people with drug-resistant TB not being detected. Accelerated efforts to diagnose TB and drug-resistance are essential to end the global TB epidemic.

A high-quality laboratory system that uses modern diagnostics is a prerequisite for the early, rapid and accurate detection of TB and drug resistance. Uptake of TB diagnostic technologies requires appropriate laboratory infrastructure, sufficient human resources and adequate policy reform at country level to enable their effective use in TB screening and diagnostic algorithms.

The landscape of TB diagnostics continues to evolve, with new technologies at various stages in the product development pipeline. WHO follows a systematic process for policy development, involving synthesis of the available data through systematic reviews, assessment of the evidence by a Guideline Development Group using the GRADE approach, and development of policy guidance for dissemination to Member States and other stakeholders.