Now Reading: Integrated multi-testing can strengthen TB care: experts
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Integrated multi-testing can strengthen TB care: experts
In September 2025, WHO announced it is developing its first guideline on multiplex testing for HIV, viral hepatitis and STIs. But The Hindu reports that experts warn a common diagnostic platform does…
The Story in Brief
In September 2025, WHO announced it is developing its first guideline on multiplex testing for HIV, viral hepatitis and STIs. But The Hindu reports that experts warn a common diagnostic platform does not mean a common sample, TB needs sputum, HIV and hepatitis need blood, HPV a cervical sample. Instead, they suggest integrating screening around the patient: for TB patients, also test for HIV, diabetes, undernutrition and anaemia. A 2026 Lancet review of 19,581 TB patients found diabetes in 7.8%. India's CB-NAAT and Truenat platforms could be adapted, but experts caution against indiscriminate testing, recommending targeted use in high-co-infection groups like people with HIV.
The Indian Opinion
The excitement around multiplex testing risks ignoring the basic fact that one sample cannot answer every question. Pushing for universal multi-disease testing could lead to unnecessary costs and false positives if not matched to the right specimen. A more grounded approach is patient-centred integration, bundling TB with HIV, diabetes and nutrition screening. The real test will be whether India's public health system can deliver such targeted bundles without overloading peripheral labs, and whether the forthcoming WHO guideline will clarify specimen-specific recommendations.
Source: thehindu.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
