TB-LAMP (loop-mediated isothermal amplification) for diagnosing pulmonary tuberculosis in children

This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (diagnostic). The objectives are as follows: To determine the diagnostic accuracy of tuberculosis loop‐mediated isothermal amplification (TB‐LAMP) for the detection of pulmonary tuberculosis in children with presumptive pulmonary tuberculosis. SECONDARY OBJECTIVES: 1. To compare the diagnostic accuracy of TB‐LAMP and Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra for the detection of pulmonary tuberculosis in children with presumptive pulmonary tuberculosis. 2. To compare the diagnostic accuracy of TB‐LAMP and smear microscopy for detecting pulmonary tuberculosis in children when TB‐LAMP is considered as a replacement test for smear microscopy. 3. To determine the diagnostic accuracy of TB‐LAMP for the detection of pulmonary tuberculosis if used as an add‐on test amongst sputum smear‐negative children. 4. To investigate potential sources of heterogeneity in the diagnostic accuracy of TB‐LAMP due to factors such as smear status, age, gender, HIV status, setting, and tuberculosis burden.