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Open Access Thoracic ultrasound for TB diagnosis in adults and children

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Thoracic ultrasound is an appealing alternative to chest radiography for the diagnosis of TB. Based on research experience conducting thoracic ultrasound for adults and children in South Africa, three key considerations for potential scale-up were identified. First, thoracic ultrasound requires a comprehensive training programme for novice users; artificial intelligence may be used to simplify training and interpretation. Second, a robust ultrasound device is needed with good subpleural resolution and a probe suitable for children. Third, comprehensive scanning of the lungs is time-intensive, and shorter scanning protocols may be more feasible in clinical practice.

Keywords: thoracic ultrasound; tuberculosis; user experience

Document Type: Research Article

Affiliations: 1: TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK 2: Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA 3: Department of Pulmonology and Critical Care, Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital, Durban, South Africa 4: Advanced Imaging and Therapy, Durban, South Africa 5: Division of Radiodiagnosis, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, South Africa 6: Department of Paediatrics & Child Health, Tygerberg Hospital, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, South Africa 7: ISGlobal, Barcelona Centre for International Health Research (CRESIB), Hospital Clínic, Universidad de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain, Desmond Tutu TB Centre, Department of Paediatrics & Child Health, Tygerberg Hospital, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, South Africa 8: Desmond Tutu TB Centre, Department of Paediatrics & Child Health, Tygerberg Hospital, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, South Africa 9: Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA 10: TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK, Africa Health Research Institute, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa, School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa

Publication date: March 21, 2022

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  • Public Health Action (PHA), The Union's quarterly Open Access journal, welcomes the submission of articles on operational research. It publishes high-quality scientific research on health services, providing new knowledge on how to improve access, equity, quality and efficiency of health systems and services.

    The Editors will consider any manuscript reporting original research on quality improvements, cost-benefit analysis, legislation, training and capacity building, with a focus on all relevant areas of public health (e.g. infection control, nutrition, TB, HIV, vaccines, smoking, COVID-19, microbial resistance, outbreaks etc).

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