TBDiagnostic-evaluation-2 (original) (raw)

Accurate tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis is essential for effective disease control. The study evaluates the performance of 19 commercially available rapid TB tests using 355 archived serum samples, revealing a sensitivity range of 0.97% to 59.7% and specificity of 53% to 98.7%. While no test could replace traditional microscopy, combining these rapid tests with smear microscopy improved overall diagnostic sensitivity; however, this came with a high false positive rate. The findings highlight the need for better diagnostic tools and underscore the challenges faced in diagnosing TB, particularly in HIV-positive populations.