Table 2. Analysis of study features relative to usual care.

Study	Summary of study features
Calligaro et al. (2015) 5	Used laboratories that observed high quality standards for TB testing Inpatient setting with high pretest probability of TB and empirical treatment Informed consent required Use of additional testing; culture
Churchyard et al. (2015) 6	High quality laboratories used; laboratories not meeting standards excluded Patients with reduced chance of LTFU. Excluded patients from remote locations or from outside catchment area Informed consent required Enhanced follow up by giving airtime vouchers to maintain contact; Home visits to those who lost contact
Cox et al. (2014) 7	Used laboratories that observed high quality standards for TB testing Informed consent waived Enhanced follow-up of patients using multiple existing data registries used to follow-up patients; Home visits made to test negative patients and test positive patients not on treatment
Mupfumi et al. (2014) 8	Used laboratories that observed high quality standards for TB testing Population with high likelihood of empirical treatment; HIV positive patients starting ART Informed consent required Use of additional testing; chest radiographs Enhanced follow up by tracking LTFU through clinical records and home visits
Ngwira et al. (2018) 9	Used laboratories that observed high quality standards for TB testing Population with high likelihood of empirical treatment; HIV positive patients starting ART Patients with minimal chance of LTFU. Excluded patients from remote locations or from outside catchment area Informed consent required Continuous training of onsite personnel Enhanced follow-up of patients though extra visits, home visits and using data registers
Theron et al. (2014) 10	Used laboratories that observed high quality standards for TB testing Research staff directly involved in care of participants Higher pre-test probability of TB; HIV negative patients required to have ≥ 2 symptoms of TB Informed consent required Likelihood of increased interaction between study staff and patients through transporting patients for additional testing and counselling Use of additional testing; chest radiographs and culture
Trajman et al. (2015) 11, 13	Used laboratories that observed high quality standards for TB testing Informed consent waived All patients with presumptive TB included; no exclusion criteria Utilised routinely collected data from electronic records database No additional staff and diagnostics relative to usual care No enhanced follow up strategies
Yoon et al. (2012) 12	Used laboratories that observed high quality standards for TB testing Research staff directly involved in care of participants Research staff performed sputum induction and bronchoscopy Inpatient setting with high pretest probability of TB and empirical treatment Informed consent required Likelihood of increased interaction between study staff and patients through transporting patients for additional testing and counselling Use of additional testing; chest radiographs and culture Enhanced follow up by providing transport vouchers and home visits