TB Guidelines

We try to keep this page up-to-date with guidelines from many countries. If you notice ommissions or errors, please tell us. We have classified the guidelines into several categories, but this division is sometimes arbitrary. For example, treatment of latent TB could be classified under both treatment and prevention guidelines. We have placed them under treatment guidelines. But if the document emphasises case-finding as well as IPT, then we place it under prevention.

In each section, World Health Organisation guidelines are listed first, followed by countries and/or other organisations in alphabetical order. Within each country, latest guidelines are listed first.

Contents

• Adult treatment guidelines
• Paediatric treatment guidelines
• Prevention guidelines
• Diagnostic guidelines
• Surveillance, monitoring and evaluation guidelines
• TB/HIV integration guidelines

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Adult treatment guidelines

World Health Organisation

• WHO consolidated guidelines on tuberculosis, Module 4: Treatment - Drug-resistant tuberculosis treatment (2022); WHO operational handbook on tuberculosis, Module 4: Treatment - Drug-resistant tuberculosis treatment (2022)
• WHO consolidated guidelines on tuberculosis, Module 4: Treatment - Tuberculosis care and support (2022); WHO operational handbook on tuberculosis, Module 4: Treatment - Tuberculosis care and support (2022)
• WHO consolidated guidelines on tuberculosis, Module 4: Treatment - Drug-susceptible tuberculosis treatment (2022); WHO operational handbook on tuberculosis, Module 4: Treatment - Drug-susceptible tuberculosis treatment (2022)
• Rapid Communication: Treatment of drug-susceptible tuberculosis (2021)
• WHO consolidated guidelines on tuberculosis, Module 4: Treatment - Drug-resistant tuberculosis treatment (2020); WHO operational handbook on tuberculosis, Module 4: Treatment - Drug-resistant tuberculosis treatment (2020)
• WHO consolidated guidelines on drug-resistant tuberculosis treatment (2019)
• Rapid Communication: Key changes to treatment of multidrug- and rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis (MDR/RR-TB) (2018)
• WHO position statement on the continued use of the shorter MDR-TB regimen following an expedited review of the STREAM Stage 1 preliminary results (2018)
• WHO treatment guidelines for isoniazid-resistant tuberculosis: Supplement to the WHO treatment guidelines for drug-resistant tuberculosis (2018)
• Handbook for the use of digital technologies to support tuberculosis medication adherence (2018)
• WHO position statement on the use of delamanid for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (2018)
• Compendium of WHO guidelines and associated standards: ensuring optimum delivery of the cascade of care for patients with tuberculosis (2017)
• Guidelines for treatment of drug-susceptible tuberculosis and patient care (2017)
• Database of national HIV and TB guidelines, 2005–2011
• WHO treatment guidelines for drug-resistant tuberculosis: 2016 update (2016); WHO fact sheet on the shorter MDR-TB Regimen (2016)
• The use of delamanid in the treatment of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (2014)
• Companion handbook to the WHO guidelines for the programmatic management of drug-resistant tuberculosis (2014)
• International Standards for TB care (ISTC) 3rd edition, 2014 (2014)
• The use of bedaquiline in the treatment of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (2013)
• Guidelines for the Programmatic Management of Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis: 2011 update (2011)
• Treatment of Tuberculosis: Guidelines for National Programmes (2010)
• Management of MDR-TB: A field guide (2009)
• WHO/The Union Monograph on TB and Tobacco Control (2008)
• Tuberculosis Care and Control in Refugee and Displaced Populations: An Interagency Field Manual (2007)
• A Guide for Tuberculosis Treatment Supporters (2002)
• An Extended DOTS framework for Tuberculosis (2002)

Botswana

• Botswana TB/HIV Policy Guidelines (2011)

Canada

• Tuberculosis: Information for Health Care Providers (2009)
• Canadian Tuberculosis Standards (2007)

Europe

• NICE guideline on TB treatment and prevention (2016)
• ECDC: Expert Opinion on the introduction of new drugs for tuberculosis control in the EU/EEA (2015)
• Management of patients with multidrug-resistant/extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis in Europe: a TBnet consensus statement (2014)
• Management of contacts of MDR TB and XDR TB patients (2012)

Ghana

• Guideline for the Clinical Management of TB and HIV Co-infection in Ghana (2007)

India

• Guidelines on extrapulmonary TB for India (2016)
• Guidelines for use of Bedaquiline in RNTCP through conditional access under Programmatic Management of Drug Resistant Tuberculosis in India (2016)
• Standards for TB Care in India (STCI), 1st edition, 2014 (2014)
• Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme DOTS-Plus Guidelines (2010)

International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease

• Psychosocial counselling and treatment adherence support for people affected by tuberculosis (2021)
• Field guide for the management of drug-resistant tuberculosis (2018)
• Guidelines for the Clinical and Operational Management of Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis (2013)
• Management of Tuberculosis: A Guide to the Essentials of Good Practice (2010)
• Best Practice for the Care of Patients with Tuberculosis: A Guide for Low-Income Countries (2007)
• Priorities for Bacteriology Services in Low-Income Countries (2007)
• International Strategy for Tuberculosis Care (2006)
• A Tuberculosis Guide for Specialist Physicians (2004)
• Guide for the Procurement of Anti-Tuberculosis Drugs (2001)

Kenya

• TB isolation policy (2018)
• Guidelines for the management of Drug Resistant Tuberculosis in Kenya (2010)
• Guidelines on management of Leprosy and Tuberculosis in Kenya (2009)

South Africa

• Interim clinical guidance for the implementation of injectable-free regimens for rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis in adults, adolescents and children (2018)
• Introduction of new drugs and drug regimens for the management of drug-resistant tuberculosis in South Africa: policy framework version 1.1 (2015)
• National Tuberculosis Management Guidelines (2014)
• Guidelines for Management of Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis in South Africa (2013)
• Guidelines for the management of tuberculosis, human immunodeficiency virus and sexually-transmitted infections in correctional facilities (2013)
• South African National Tuberculosis Management Guidelines (2009)

Swaziland

• Drug Resistant Tuberculosis Management Guidelines (2008)

United States of America

• Treatment of Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis: An Official ATS/CDC/ERS/IDSA Clinical Practice Guideline (2019)
• Nursing Guide for Managing Side Effects to Drug-resistant TB Treatment (2018)
• Clinical practice guidelines: Treatment of drug-susceptible TB (2016)
• Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis: A Survival Guide for Clinicians (2016)
• Latent Tuberculosis Infection: A Guide for Primary Health Care Providers (2013)
• Provisional CDC Guidelines for the Use and Safety Monitoring of Bedaquiline Fumarate (Sirturo) for the Treatment of Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis (2013)
• Plan to Combat Extensively Drug-Resistance Tuberculosis: Recommendations of the Federal Task Force (2009)
• Managing TB Medicines at the Primary Level (2008)
• Managing Pharmaceuticals and Commodities: A Guide for National Tuberculosis Programs (2008)
• Treatment of the Patient with TB: Guidelines for Collaborating with Community Physicians (2003)
• Guidelines for the Treatment of Tuberculosis (2002)
• Guidelines for Targeted Tuberculosis Testing and Treatment of Latent Tuberculosis Infection (2000)
• Guidelines for the Management of Adverse Drug Effects of Antimycobacterial Agents (1998)
• Enforcement Procedures and Scheduling for Occupational Exposure to Tuberculosis (1996)

Paediatric treatment guidelines

World Health Organisation

• Use of bedaquiline in children and adolescents with multidrug- and rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis: information note (2023)
• Use of delamanid in children and adolescents with multidrug- and rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis: information note (2023)
• WHO consolidated guidelines on tuberculosis, Module 5: Management of tuberculosis in children and adolescents (2022); WHO operational handbook on tuberculosis, Module 5: Management of tuberculosis in children and adolescents (2022)
• Expert opinion: Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in children and adolescents in the WHO European Region (2019)
• The use of delamanid in the treatment of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in children and adolescents: Interim policy guidance (2016)
• Roadmap for Childhood Tuberculosis (2013)
• Guidance for national tuberculosis and HIV programmes on the management of tuberculosis in HIV-infected children: Recommendations for a public health approach (2010)
• Rapid Advice: Treatment of Tuberculosis in Children (2010)
• Guidance for national tuberculosis programmes on the management of tuberculosis in children (2006)

Bangladesh

• National Guidelines For The Management Of Tuberculosis In Children (2012)

Europe

• Investigation and control of tuberculosis incidents affecting children in congregate settings (2013)

International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease

• Diagnosis and Management of Tuberculosis in Children and Adolescents: A Desk Guide for Primary Health Care Workers - Asia (2023)
• Diagnosis and Management of Tuberculosis in Children and Adolescents: A Desk Guide for Primary Health Care Workers - Africa (2023)
• Desk guide for diagnosis and management of TB in children (2016)
• Desk-guide for diagnosis and management of TB in children (2010)

South Africa

• Guidelines for the management of tuberculosis in children (2013)

United States of America

• Management of Latent Tuberculosis in Children and Adolescents: A Handbook for the Primary Care Provider (2009)
• Guidelines for Initiating a School-Based Directly Observed Therapy Program (2002)

Prevention guidelines

World Health Organisation

• WHO operational handbook on tuberculosis: module 1: prevention: infection prevention and control (2023)
• WHO consolidated guidelines on tuberculosis: Module 1: Prevention - infection prevention and control (2022)
• Rapid Communication on forthcoming changes to the programmatic management of tuberculosis preventive treatment (2020)
• South-East Asia Regional Action Plan on Programmatic Management of Latent TB Infection (2019)
• WHO guidelines on TB infection prevention and control (2019)
• Latent TB Infection: Updated and consolidated guidelines for programmatic management (2018)
• Guidelines on the management of latent tuberculosis infection (2014)
• The Global Plan to Stop TB (2011-2015)
• Guidelines for intensified tuberculosis case-finding and isoniazid preventive therapy for people living with HIV in resource-constrained settings (2011)
• Advocacy Strategy for Adoption and Dissemination on the Policy on TB Control in Health Care Facilities, Congregate Settings and Households (2010)
• Guidance on Ethics of Tuberculosis Prevention, Care and Control (2010)
• Natural Ventilation for Infection Control in Health-Care Settings (2009)
• Policy on TB Control in Health Care Facilities, Congregate Settings and Households (2009)
• Implementing the WHO Stop TB Strategy: Handbook for National TB Control Programmes (2008)
• Infection prevention and control of epidemic- and pandemic-prone acute respiratory diseases in health care — WHO interim guidelines (2007)
• Tuberculosis Infection Control in the Era of Expanding HIV Care and Treatment: Addendum to Guidelines for the Prevention of Tuberculosis in Health Care Facilities in Resource-limited Settings (2007)
• Guidelines for Workplace TB Control Activities (2003)
• Good Practice in Legislation and Regulations for TB Control: An Indicator of Political Will (2001)
• Guidelines for the Prevention of Tuberculosis in Health Care Facilities in Resource-limited Settings (1999)

Austraila

• Management, Control and Prevention of Tuberculosis Guidelines for Health Care Providers (2002)
• National Strategic Plan for TB Control in Australia (2002)

Canada

• Environmental Control Best Practices: Guidelines to Reduce TB Transmission in Homeless Shelters and Drop-In Centres (2007)
• Guidelines for Preventing the Transmission of Tuberculosis in Canadian Health Care Facilities and Other Institutional Settings (1996)

European Union

• Framework Action Plan to fight tuberculosis in European Union (2008)
• European framework to decrease the burden of TB/HIV (2003)

Ghana

• The National Tuberculosis Health Sector Strategic Plan for Ghana (2009-2013)

India

• Technical and Operational Guidelines for Tuberculosis Control (2005)

International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease

• Interventions for Tuberculosis Control and Elimination (2002)

New Zealand

• Guidelines for Tuberculosis Control in New Zealand (2003)

South Africa

• National Strategic Plan on HIV, STIs and TB 2012-2016 (2012)
• Guidelines for Tuberculosis Preventative Therapy among HIV individuals of South Africa (2010)
• Tuberculosis Strategic Plan for South Africa 2007-2011 (2007)
• The National Infection Prevention and Control Policy for TB, MDRTB and XDRTB (2007)

United Kingdom

• Stopping Tuberculosis in England: An Action Plan (2004)

United States of America

• Guidelines for the Treatment of Latent Tuberculosis Infection: Recommendations from the National Tuberculosis Controllers Association and CDC (2020)
• CDC: Update of Recommendations for Use of Once-Weekly Isoniazid-Rifapentine Regimen to Treat Latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection (2018)
• Latent Tuberculosis Infection: A Guide for Primary Health Care Providers (2010)
• Environmental Controls for Tuberculosis : Basic Upper-Room Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation Guidelines for Healthcare Settings (2009)
• MOST for TB: Management and Organizational Sustainability Tool for National TB Control Programs (2009)
• Prevention and Control of Tuberculosis in Correctional and Detention Facilities: Recommendations from CDC (2006)
• Guidelines on Preventing the Transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Healthcare Settings (2005)
• Guidelines on Environmental Infection Control in Healthcare Facilities (2003)
• General Recommendations on Immunization (2002)
• Tuberculosis in the Workplace (2001)

Diagnostic guidelines

World Health Organization

• Practical manual on laboratory strengthening (2022)
• WHO consolidated guidelines on tuberculosis, Module 3: Diagnosis – Tests for tuberculosis infection (2022); WHO operational handbook on tuberculosis, Module 3: Diagnosis – Tests for tuberculosis infection (2022)
• Manual for selection of molecular WHO recommended rapid diagnostic tests for detection of tuberculosis and drug-resistant tuberculosis (2022)
• Line probe assays for detection of drug-resistant tuberculosis: interpretation and reporting manual for laboratory staff and clinicians (2022)
• Practical manual of processing stool samples for diagnosis of childhood TB (2022)
• WHO consolidated guidelines on tuberculosis, Module 3: Diagnosis - Rapid diagnostics for tuberculosis detection 2021 update (2021); WHO operational handbook on tuberculosis, Module 3: Diagnosis - Rapid diagnostics for tuberculosis detection 2021 update (2021)
• WHO consolidated guidelines on tuberculosis, Module 2: Screening - Systematic screening for tuberculosis disease (2021); WHO operational handbook on tuberculosis, Module 2: Screening - Systematic screening for tuberculosis disease (2021)
• WHO consolidated guidelines on tuberculosis, Module 3: Diagnosis - Rapid diagnostics for tuberculosis detection (2020); WHO operational handbook on tuberculosis, Module 3: Diagnosis - Rapid diagnostics for tuberculosis detection (2020)
• Lateral flow urine lipoarabinomannan assay (LF-LAM) for the diagnosis of active tuberculosis in people living with HIV: policy update (2019)
• Technical manual for drug susceptibility testing of medicines used in the treatment of tuberculosis (2018)
• The use of next-generation sequencing technologies for the detection of mutations associated with drug resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex: technical guide (2018)
• The use of loop-mediated isothermal amplification (TB-LAMP) for the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis: policy guidance (2016)
• Xpert MTB/RIF implementation manual (2014)
• Policy update: Xpert MTB/RIF assay for the diagnosis of pulmonary and extra-pulmonary TB in adults and children (2013)
• Rapid Implementation of Xpert MTB/RIF diagnostic test (2011)
• Policy statement: Use of tuberculosis interferon-gamma release assays (IGRAs) in low- and middle- income countries (2011)

European Union

• Handbook on TB laboratory diagnostic methods in the European Union – updated 2018 (2018)
• Handbook on TB laboratory diagnostic methods in the European Union (2016)
• Use of interferon-gamma release assays in support of TB diagnosis (2011)

Stop TB Partnership

• Manual on selection and use of interferon-gamma release assays (IGRAs) for testing for TB infection (2022)

International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease

• Technical Guide: Sputum Examination for Tuberculosis by Direct Microscopy in Low-Income Countries (2000)

United States of America

• Updated Guidelines for Using Interferon Gamma Release Assays to Detect Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection in United States (2010)
• Updated Guidelines for the Use of Nucleic Acid Ampflication Test in the Diagnosis of Tuberculosis (2009)

Surveillance, monitoring and evaluation guidelines

World Health Organization

• Guidance for the surveillance of drug resistance in tuberculosis: Sixth edition (2020)
• Guidelines for Surveillance of Drug Resistance in Tuberculosis (2015)
• A Guide to Monitoring and Evaluation for Collaborative TB/HIV Activities (2009)
• Guidelines for Surveillance of Drug Resistance in Tuberculosis (2009)

Canada

• Guidelines for the Investigation and Follow-up of Individuals Under Medical Surveillance for Tuberculosis After Arriving in Canada (2003)

Europe

• Review of the National Tuberculosis Programme in Ukraine (2010)
• Surveillance of Communicable Diseases in European Union: Long Term Strategy (2008)

Global Fund

• Monitoring and Evaluation Toolkit: HIV, TB and Malaria and Health Systems Strenghtening (2009)

United States of America

• Pharmaceutical Management for Tuberculosis (PMTB) Assessment Manual (2005)

TB/HIV integration guidelines

World Health Organization

• Consolidated guidelines: Integrating collaborative TB and HIV services within a comprehensive package of care for people who inject drugs (2016)
• Guidelines for Implementing Collaborative TB and HIV Programme Activities (2003)

British HIV Association

• British HIV Association guidelines for the management of tuberculosis in adults living with HIV (2019)

Canada

• Recommendations for the Screening and Prevention of TB in Patients with HIV and the Screening for HIV in TB Patients and thier Contacts (2002)

Ghana

• Implementation of HIV/TB Collaborative Activities for Ghana: Technical Policy and Guidelines (2007)

India

• National Framework For Joint HIV/TB Collaborative Activities (2009)

International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease

• Implementing Collaborative TB-HIV Activities: a Programmatic Guide (2012)

Kenya

• Guidelines for Implementing TB-HIV Collaborative Activities in Kenya: What health workers need to know (2006)

Swaziland

• National Policy Guidelines for HIV/TB Collaborative Activities (2007)

United States of America

• Managing Drug Interactions in the Treatment of HIV-Related Tuberculosis (2013)