Improving the diagnosis of tuberculosis: old and new laboratory tools.

This section highlights future advances with regard to diagnostic and infection control, for TB. The Xpert MTB Ultra has a much lower limit of detection and is a much more sensitive and specific diagnostic tool that could be applied for infection control measures. Whilst cost has implications, preventing prolonged hospital admissions and having rapid TAT is of the most benefit to the overall patient experience. Host transcriptional blood markers have use in treatment monitoring studies and, with appropriate clinical evaluation and validation, could be potentially rolled out in a diagnostic setting. Additionally, the MBLA is being incorporated into latest clinical trial designs. Whole genome sequencing has enhanced epidemiological evidence. Artificial intelligence along with machine learning, have the ability to revolutionize TB diagnosis and susceptibility testing within the next decade.