Journal of Clinical TB

Journal of Clinical Tuberculosis and Other Mycobacterial Diseases is an open access publication that provides a forum for clinically relevant articles on all aspects of tuberculosis and other mycobacterial infections.

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Featured Articles

Symptomatic (STB) and Asymptomatic (ATB) Tuberculosis in Italy: Results from a Multicenter Retrospective Study

A multicenter study from Italy found that 36% of pulmonary TB cases were asymptomatic, making them harder to detect and potentially contributing to ongoing transmission. While symptomatic TB (STB) was linked to more adverse events and longer hospital stays, treatment outcomes were similar between symptomatic and asymptomatic cases.

These findings highlight the need for improved screening and awareness of asymptomatic TB (ATB) in global elimination efforts.

The World Health Organization’s 2024 report on asymptomatic TB offers further insights into its epidemiology, detection challenges, and implications for public health.

Defining the Role for Mycobacterium Tuberculosis PCR Testing from Stool Samples

Stool PCR testing is emerging as a valuable tool for tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis, especially when sputum samples are difficult to obtain—such as in children or adults with physical limitations. Recent WHO guidance supports stool testing in pediatric cases, and advances like the assay have improved sensitivity. A Mayo Clinic-developed stool PCR test showed promising results in a Filipino adult cohort, detecting TB in cases missed by sputum testing. While U.S. availability is limited due to regulatory barriers, stool PCR may enhance diagnostic yield and guide further testing. Implementation science is needed to optimize its use, particularly in adults and low-resource settings, where it could complement or substitute traditional methods.