Current concepts in Tuberculosis diagnostics

The inability of the laboratory to adequately diagnose Tuberculosis (TB) using smear microscopy especially in those with latent infections, TB/HIV co-infections, paediatric and extra-pulmonary infections has led to an upsurge in TB epidemics in the community. While attention is being focused on HIV/AIDS pandemic, little is being heard of TB, especially in the areas of laboratory diagnosis (except of recent) despite the fact that the disease is the commonest cause of death in people living with HIV/AIDS. Efforts should be geared towards diagnostic TB research in developing countries to facilitate early diagnosis of cases and prompt initiation of therapy for TB control programme to have a meaningful impact in the community.