Creating Strong Platforms for New Innovations
Currently, there are no point-of-care TB diagnostic tools at the stage of evaluation or demonstration that are sufficiently sensitive and specific for TB detection in both populations with and without HIV infection. However, a variety of nucleic acid amplification, alternative antigen, and volatile organic compound detection assays are in the pipeline or are proving to have utility in distinct patient populations.10 The introduction of Xpert is expected to strengthen health systems and laboratory networks, which will, in turn, help to create platforms that will make it easier to launch these and other future diagnostics and drug therapies. Coordination of Xpert roll out by MOHs and partner and stakeholder working groups will build a high level of capacity to prepare for promising upcoming changes in technology and tools.