Childhood pulmonary TB diagnosis remains a challenge due to difficulties in obtaining suitable specimens and the paucibacillary nature of the disease. Recent advances in sample collection and diagnostics could improve care for children, especially those with rifampicin-resistant TB (RR-TB). Although these have been recommended by the WHO, there have been limited reporting of the clinical impact of these novel approaches. We report the clinical impact of stool sampling in four children at Karonga District Hospital in Malawi. All four children were diagnosed with RR-TB, received all-oral regimens, and experienced successful treatment outcomes.
Chitsulo et al. (2026) studied this question.