Updated Recommendation
A new evidence synthesis was published:2025, WHO consolidated guidelines on tuberculosis: module 3: diagnosis
View latest version (2025)Bibliographic information
Recommendation
In HIV-positive adults and children with signs and symptoms of disseminated TB, Xpert MTB/RIF may be used in blood, as an initial diagnostic test for disseminated TB.
Recommended in favor
Conditional
Certainty of evidence
Very low
Notes and Remarks
Remarks Blood was only evaluated in people living with HIV (PLHIV) and under particular processing specifications (6), using third-generation Xpert MTB/RIF cartridges, based on one study with a small number of participants. The recommendation applies only to a particular population (HIV-positive adults with signs and symptoms of disseminated TB). The GDG did not feel comfortable extrapolating this recommendation to other patient populations.
Also Featured In
This recommendation also appears in the following guidelines:
WHO consolidated guidelines on tuberculosis: module 3: diagnosis – rapid diagnostics for tuberculosis detection: web annex 2. GRADE profiles
WHO consolidated guidelines on tuberculosis: module 3: diagnosis – rapid diagnostics for tuberculosis detection: web annex 2. GRADE profiles
WHO consolidated guidelines on tuberculosis: module 6: tuberculosis and comorbidities.
WHO consolidated guidelines on tuberculosis: module 6: tuberculosis and comorbidities, 2nd ed.