Updated WHO Recommendations for the Diagnosis of Tuberculosis

Introduction

The Pan American Health Organiza􀆟on (PAHO) invites countries in the Region to par􀆟cipate in the first series of webinars dedicated to innova􀆟ons in tuberculosis (TB) diagnos􀆟cs to be held during 2026. For this mee􀆟ng, the new recommenda􀆟ons of the World Health Organiza􀆟on (WHO) will be presented, with emphasis on the research carried out by Unitaid's Star4All project on pooled sputum tes􀆟ng.

During the session, other innova􀆟ons such as the molecular pla􀆞orm near point of care (NPOC) and the evidence suppor􀆟ng the use of lingual swabs for low-complexity nucleic acid amplifica􀆟on tests will also be addressed.

These innova􀆟ons represent an important step forward as a strategy to improve efficiency and save resources to support na􀆟onal programmes in expanding TB diagnos􀆟cs, in line with regional commitments to eliminate TB.

Agenda

10:00 – 10:10 a.m.

Opening: Welcome and Webinar Objectives

Pedro Avedillo, PAHO
Patricia Hall, OMS

10:10 – 10:30 am

New WHO recommendations on TB diagnosis

Ernesto Montoro, PAHO

10:30 – 10:40 a.m.

Start4All Initiative and Unitaid Priorities

Luca Occhini, Unitaid

10:40-10:50 a.m.

Start4All Project Introduction

Tom Wingfield, LSTM
 

10:50 – 11:10 a.m.

Concept of and performance of pooled sputum testing: Diagnostic accuracy and efficiency from Start4All experience in seven countries

Ana Isabel Cubas Atienzar, LSTM

11:10 – 11:25 a.m.

Experience of pooled sputum testing in Brazil

Victor Santana Santos, UFS

11:10 – 11:25 a.m.

Questions and Answers

Ernesto Montoro (PAHO)
Ana Isabel Cubas Atienzar (LSTM)
Victor Santana Santos (UFS)
Tom Wingfield (LSTM)

11:40 – 11:45 a.m.

Closing Remarks

PAHO