Parallel use of low-complexity automated nucleic acid amplification tests on respiratory samples and stool with or without lateral flow lipoarabinomannan assays to detect pulmonary tuberculosis disease in children

OBJECTIVES: This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (diagnostic). The objectives are as follows: To compare the diagnostic accuracy of the parallel use of low-complexity automated nucleic acid amplification tests on respiratory and stool specimens in children and lateral flow urine lipoarabinomannan amongst children with HIV versus each assay alone for detecting pulmonary tuberculosis. Secondary objectives To compare the diagnostic accuracy of low-complexity automated nucleic acid amplification tests on respiratory and stool specimens in combination versus each sample type alone. To investigate the following sources of heterogeneity: clinical setting, signs and symptoms of pulmonary tuberculosis disease, screening positivity by chest X-ray abnormalities, age group, specimen type; and also amongst children with HIV: CD4 cell-count or percent category, advanced HIV disease, and serious illness.