WHO operational guidelines on tuberculosis: module 3: diagnosis: rapid diagnostics for tuberculosis detection: web annex A: list of studies included in systematic reviews

This web annex accompanies the third edition of the WHO consolidated guidelines on tuberculosis, Module 3: diagnosis – rapid diagnostics for tuberculosis detection. The publication provides comprehensive lists of studies included in the systematic reviews that informed WHO recommendations on rapid diagnostic technologies for tuberculosis and rifampicin resistance detection. It supports transparency in the guideline development process by documenting the evidence base used for evaluating diagnostic accuracy, clinical impact and implementation considerations across different testing platforms.

The annex is organized according to Population, Intervention, Comparison and Outcome (PICO) questions and covers evidence related to pulmonary and extrapulmonary tuberculosis in adults and children. Included studies assess technologies such as Xpert MTB/RIF, Xpert Ultra, Truenat assays, loop-mediated isothermal amplification, lateral flow urine lipoarabinomannan assays, line probe assays and targeted next-generation sequencing. The document compiles studies conducted in diverse epidemiological and clinical settings, including populations affected by HIV and drug-resistant tuberculosis, and serves as a reference resource supporting the evidence synthesis underlying WHO recommendations on rapid tuberculosis diagnostics.