WHO_UCN_TB_2020_1_9
Systematic LTBI testing and treatment may be considered for prisoners, health workers,
immigrants from countries with a high TB burden, homeless people and people who use drugs.
Systematic LTBI testing and treatment may be considered for prisoners, health workers,
immigrants from countries with a high TB burden, homeless people and people who use drugs.
People who are initiating anti-TNF treatment, or receiving dialysis, or preparing for an organ
or haematological transplant, or who have silicosis should be systematically tested and treated
for LTBI.
In adults and children with signs and symptoms of extrapulmonary TB, Xpert MTB/RIF may be used in lymph node aspirate, lymph node biopsy, pleural fluid, peritoneal fluid, pericardial fluid, synovial fluid or urine specimens as the initial diagnostic test for respective form of extrapulmonary TB rather than smear microscopy/culture.
In children with signs and symptoms of pulmonary TB, Xpert Ultra should be used as the initial diagnostic test for TB and detection of rifampicin resistance in sputum or nasopharyngeal aspirate, rather than smear microscopy/culture and phenotypic DST.
In children with signs and symptoms of pulmonary TB in settings with pretest probability 5% or more and an Xpert MTB/RIF negative result on the initial test, repeated testing with Xpert MTB/RIF (for total of two tests) in sputum, gastric fluid, nasopharyngeal aspirate and stool specimens may be used.
In children with signs and symptoms of pulmonary TB in settings with pretest probability below 5% and an Xpert MTB/RIF negative result on the initial test, repeated testing with Xpert MTB/RIF in sputum, gastric fluid, nasopharyngeal aspirate or stool specimens may not be used.