Bibliographic information
GuidelineWHO consolidated guidelines on tuberculosis: module 3: diagnosis
Year of Publication2025
Issuing InstitutionWorld Health Organization
Recommendation
Maintained
Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigen-based skin tests (TBSTs) may be used to test for TB infection.
Recommended in favor
Conditional
Certainty of evidence
Very low
Notes and Remarks
Implementation considerations Considerations for implementation were as follows:
- regulatory approval from national regulatory authorities or other relevant bodies is required before implementation of in vivo diagnostic tests;
- appropriate communication on the new class of tests is necessary, highlighting the difference between the TST and TBSTs;
- implementation of TBSTs requires a cold chain;
- well-trained skilled staff are needed to administer and interpret this class of tests;
- multiuse vials will require effective operational planning and batching; hence, single-use vials or vials with fewer doses to match daily needs are preferred;
- procurement and stock management aspects will have to be considered, as with implementing any new class of tests;
- because the reading of the TBST results requires a second patient visit, linkage to care requires reinforcement, to decrease loss to follow-up;
- global market availability and necessary volumes of the new class of tests must be considered; and
- measurement of the TBST reaction size and interpretation must be standardized.
Also Featured In
This recommendation also appears in the following guidelines:
Originally Developed
Guideline
WHO consolidated guidelines on tuberculosis: module 3: diagnosis: tests for TB infection
Year2022
InstitutionWHO
Guideline
WHO consolidated guidelines on tuberculosis: module 6: tuberculosis and comorbidities.
Year2024
InstitutionWorld Health Organization
Guideline
WHO consolidated guidelines on tuberculosis: module 1: prevention: tuberculosis preventive treatment, 2nd ed
Year2024
InstitutionWorld Health Organization
Guideline
WHO consolidated guidelines on tuberculosis: module 6: tuberculosis and comorbidities, 2nd ed.
Year2025
InstitutionWorld Health Organization