WHO Tuberculosis Diagnosis Recommendations, Swab Test to Collect Sputum Sample

JAKARTA - The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a test recommendation for the diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB). For the first time, WHO recommends a new near-point-of-care (NPOC) molecular test for TB diagnosis.

Then there is also a recommendation for a swab or saliva test that is easy to collect, to simplify and expand access to testing.

Not only that, cost-effective sputum collection strategies are also recommended to increase the efficiency of testing for TB and rifampicin-resistant TB.

"This new WHO recommendation marks a major step forward in making TB testing faster and more accessible," said WHO's Director of the Department of HIV, TB, Hepatitis & STD, Dr. Tereza Kasaeva, quoted from the WHO website, Tuesday, March 10, 2026.

As is known, the diagnostic gap related to TB still exists. Millions of people still face delayed or missed diagnoses due to systemic barriers.

Such as the continued reliance on sputum as a sample that not everyone who may have TB can produce. The only availability of laboratory-based tests is not always available where people seek treatment or are evaluated for TB, and the high cost of the tests.

The detailed explanation of the new TB diagnosis test recommendations recommended by WHO is as follows.

- NPOC, for early detection of rifampicin-resistant TB at the peripheral level of the health system (i.e. peripheral laboratories, primary health care centres and communities) and lower unit costs. - Swab tests, as a new specimen, are available and easy to collect for use with NPOC. - Sputum collection, as a diagnostic strategy for early diagnosis of TB and rifampicin resistance using LC-aNAAT with the potential to improve turnaround time and costs when resources are limited.

"WHO urges countries and partners to work together to launch these guidelines to close the persistent diagnostic gap and ensure that everyone with TB can be diagnosed early," said Dr. Tereza.