Near point-of-care tests, tongue swabs, and sputum pooling for TB
New

To support countries in their efforts to strengthen detection of tuberculosis (TB) disease and drug resistance, WHO issues evidence-based policy guidance on TB testing that is routinely updated. Since the most recent consolidated guidelines on TB diagnosis were issued in 2025, evidence became available on new tests, sample types, and strategies for the initial diagnosis of TB with and without drug resistance detection. In an updated edition that will be published shortly, WHO is recommending for the first time, new near-point-of-care (NPOC) molecular tests for the diagnosis of TB; easy-to-collect tongue swab samples to simplify and expand access to testing; and a cost-saving sputum pooling strategy to increase testing efficiency for TB and rifampicin-resistant TB.