STLS

It is crucial to make an effort for microbiological confirmation in presumptive Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis (EPTB) cases. Appropriate specimens from the Extrapulmonary (EP) site are collected and, depending on the specimen type and availability of facilities, the specimens are sent for:

• Cartridge-based Nucleic Acid Amplification Testing (CBNAAT)
• Culture and Drug Susceptibility Testing (C&DST) for M. tuberculosis 
• Histopathological examination

On the basis of diagnosis, Tuberculosis (TB) can be classified into 2 main types:

1. Microbiologically confirmed TB
2. Clinically diagnosed TB

Microbiologically Confirmed TB

Based on the site of disease, Tuberculosis can be classified as-

Why important, how is it done,

Monitoring should be an integral part of the Active Case Finding (ACF) interventions. It is accomplished by a strong data collection system enacted through a programme-based ACF data and recording in Nikshay.

Monitoring activities for ACF interventions broadly cover the number screened, number of presumptive TB cases based on symptoms or chest X-ray findings, samples collected for testing, samples transported for testing, samples tested, microbiologically and clinically diagnosed TB cases, TB notification and treatment initiation.

A targeted approach is considered as an appropriate public health response to identify the hidden cases of TB in the communities. In this regard the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) expects that 110,000 per million vulnerable population (11%) should be mapped for community-based screening and >90% of the mapped target vulnerable population should be screened for symptoms of TB.