FeedbackThis handbook was developed to provide practical guidance for the implementation of WHO policies on recommended TB diagnostic tests and algorithms; it describes:
- the WHO-recommended tests for detecting TB and DR-TB (Section 2), the most recent WHO policy guidance for their use, and consideration for implementing diagnostics (Section 3), and their placement in a network (Section 4);
- the WHO-recommended tests for TB infection, the most recent WHO policy guidance for their use, and considerations for who should be tested, why, and how under programmatic settings (Section 2 and Section 3);
- the programmatic steps that need to be taken to implement and scale up a new diagnostic tool (Section 5); and
- TB diagnostic model algorithms that incorporate the most recent WHO recommendations for detection and clinically managing TB, DR-TB, and TB infection, as well as considerations for new algorithm implementation (Section 6).
The handbook is not intended to be a comprehensive manual, nor does it repeat information provided by other guidance documents. For those interested in learning more or reviewing TB diagnostic content, WHO has an online e-learning course (11) that will complement the content of the operational handbook. The self-paced course covers all the major topics in this handbook and includes videos covering the different tests (11). Guidance on the implementation of diagnostic testing is also available on the website of the Global Laboratory Initiative (GLI) of the Stop TB Partnership for which WHO/GTB serves as the Secretariat (12).