Recommendation ID
NG33/2
Question

Apart from culture, what other diagnostic tests or combinations of tests are effective in
establishing an accurate diagnosis of active respiratory TB in children and young people with
suspected active TB?

Any explanatory notes
(if applicable)

Why this is important

The guideline committee noted the lack of evidence on the diagnosis of active TB in children. The disease manifests differently in children than in adults, and more evidence would have been useful to the committee. Cross-sectional studies are needed to examine the relative accuracy of different tests, and the most appropriate specimen type for these tests, compared with tests currently in use. In particular, the poor accuracy of many tests in children means that diagnostic strategies – that is, combinations of tests – should be investigated, including both tests with high sensitivity and tests based on host response.


Source guidance details

Comes from guidance
Tuberculosis
Number
NG33
Date issued
January 2016

Other details

Is this a recommendation for the use of a technology only in the context of research? No  
Is it a recommendation that suggests collection of data or the establishment of a register?   No  
Last Reviewed 30/09/2019