Table 2.

Guidance regarding bacteriological investigations

For each patient with symptoms and signs compatible with PTB, a set of bacteriological investigation should be conducted in a timely manner: Specimen collection (preferably within 24 h) Specimen processing within 72 h All patients should have molecular mycobacterial identification and DST as the initial diagnostic test All cultured isolates should be submitted to molecular and/or phenotypical DST If available, cultures should be submitted for DST and whole or next genome sequencing. In case of economic constraints, this should be done at least in case of outbreak or RR/MDR-TB case

DST = drug susceptibility testing; RR/MDR-TB = rifampicin-resistant/multidrug-resistant TB.