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 children with signs and symptoms of pulmonary TB in settings with pretest probability 5% or more and an Xpert Ultra negative result on the first initial test, repeated one Xpert Ultra test (for a total of two tests) in sputum and nasopharyngeal aspirate specimens may be used.
Recommended in favor
Conditional
Certainty of evidence
Very low
Notes and Remarks
Remarks Desirable and undesirable effects were judged to be moderate, but the GDG felt that testing twice in the moderate and high pretest probability (>5%) settings on balance may provide more benefits than harms. The recommendation is applicable for sputum and nasopharyngeal aspirates. No evidence was identified for stool and gastric aspirates.
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