Tuberculosis Diagnostics: Modern Approaches to Detecting a Global Infectious Threat
Tuberculosis diagnostics encompass the various laboratory and imaging methods used to detect Mycobacterium tuberculosis infections. Early and accurate diagnosis is essential to control transmission, initiate treatment, and prevent complications. Over the decades, TB diagnostics have evolved from basic sputum microscopy to advanced molecular and immunological techniques.
Traditional approaches include sputum smear microscopy and chest radiography. While affordable, these methods have limitations in sensitivity. Modern diagnostics incorporate nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs), interferon-gamma release assays (IGRAs), and automated culture systems that rapidly identify TB and detect drug resistance. Gene-based tests like GeneXpert MTB/RIF provide results within hours and reveal rifampicin resistance, enhancing early intervention.
Diagnostics also play a role in managing latent TB infections, especially in immunocompromised populations. Blood-based assays measure immune response markers to identify individuals with dormant infections at risk of reactivation. As drug-resistant TB strains continue to emerge, rapid diagnostics remain crucial tools for public health programs and…