Overview

• Researchers at Queen Mary University published a meta-analysis combining 13 TB tests, demonstrating enhanced accuracy for detecting both active and latent tuberculosis.
• The study, featured in the European Respiratory Journal, highlights the benefits of integrating immunological assays like IGRAs with traditional diagnostics such as chest X-rays and sputum cultures.
• This novel approach improves detection in challenging cases, including extrapulmonary and pediatric TB, as well as in high-risk populations like migrants from TB-endemic regions.
• The findings challenge the current separation of active and latent TB screening protocols, advocating for a unified algorithm to reduce missed diagnoses and transmission.
• Global health organizations, including WHO and ECDC, are reviewing the study's implications for potential updates to international TB screening guidelines, while a new TB research center in East London works on implementation.