ReviewEClinicalMedicine2026
Diagnostic testing for pulmonary tuberculosis in low and middle-income countries: innovations to achieve universal access-a narrative review.
Review in EClinicalMedicine, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
0 citing papers in PubMed.
No citing paper in PubMed yet.
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
11 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Though rapid molecular diagnostics for tuberculosis (TB) have substantially improved diagnostic accuracy and turnaround times, implementation and impact has been constrained by cost, infrastructure requirements, and continued reliance on sputum. This review examines advances in diagnostic technologies and sampling strategies that could overcome these barriers and accelerate universal access to TB diagnostics. We conducted a narrative review of studies published between Jan 1, 2020, and April 30, 2026, focusing on near-point-of-care molecular (NPOC) platforms, next-generation lipoarabinomannan (LAM) assays, and non-sputum sampling approaches. Emerging NPOC molecular platforms, demonstrate high sensitivity using both sputum and tongue-swab specimens while substantially reducing equipment and testing costs compared with existing nucleic acid amplification test platforms. Next-generation urine LAM assays offer improved sensitivity and potential for use beyond people living with HIV. In addition, parallel testing approaches with multiple sample types, including sputum, tongue swab, stool for children, and urine testing, can substantially increase diagnostic yield in specific populations. Integrating low-cost technologies with non-sputum sampling strategies could provide a scalable pathway towards universal access to TB diagnostics. Realizing this potential will require streamlined regulatory pathways, sustainable financing, and integration of these tools into primary healthcare systems. Funding: None.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.