Current developments and future perspectives for TB diagnostics

TB persists as a global epidemic with high morbidity and mortality, especially in low-income countries. It is the only infectious disease ever declared as a global emergency by the WHO. The HIV pandemic and the emergence of drug resistance represent two additional obstacles to better control of the disease. Important progress has been made in the last decade in TB diagnostics. Major needs still exist, such as the availability of a real point-of-care test, a better diagnosis of TB in immune-compromised populations and in children, and the possibility to predict progression to disease in latently infected people. This review will summarize the current developments in TB diagnostics and the perspectives for future developments in the field.

Publication year:2012

Keywords:Bacterial diseases, Tuberculosis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Diagnostics, Development, Needs, Availability, Rapid diagnostic tests, Risk groups, Prediction, Review of the literature