An Overview: The Roles Of, Laboratory Testing and Imaging Technicians in Diagnosis and Management of Tuberculosis

Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB) is a serious infectious disease that continues to be a significant cause of mortality and morbidity globally. Consequently, clinicians and radiologists must utilize all available diagnostic tools in disease assessment to deliver accurate recommendations for initiating anti-tubercular treatment, thereby mitigating the risk of TB transmission and complications, particularly in developing countries where the disease remains endemic. Thoracic ultrasonography (TUS) is a portable, non-invasive, radiation-free, and cost-effective technology that can be readily accessible in resource-constrained environments. This perspective essay examines the possible role of TUS in diagnosing and managing patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. Regrettably, there remains inadequate evidence and conflicting data to evaluate TUS as a suitable diagnostic technology for disease screening. Laboratories and laboratory networks are essential for tuberculosis (TB) control, offering diagnostic testing, surveillance, and treatment monitoring throughout all tiers of the health-care system. New initiatives and resources aimed at enhancing laboratory capacity and executing rapid and innovative diagnostic tests for tuberculosis necessitate the acknowledgment that laboratories function as systems requiring quality standards, suitable human resources, and a focus on safety, alongside necessary supplies and equipment.