Is introducing rapid culture in the diagnostic algorithm of smear-negative tuberculosis cost-effective?
type: Dataset
description: Setting: In 2007, WHO recommended introducing rapid Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) culture in the diagnostic algorithm of smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). Objective: To assess the cost-effectiveness of the introduction of rapid non-commercial culture method (Thin Layer Agar) together with Löwenstein Jensen culture to diagnose smear-negative TB at a district hospital in Kenya. Design: Effectiveness data (number of true TB cases treated) were obtained from a prospective study evaluating the effectiveness of a clinical and radiological algorithm (conventional) with and without (culture-based) MTB culture in 380 smear-negative TB suspects. The costs of each algorithm were calculated using a "micro-costing" or "ingredient-based" method. The cost and effectiveness was compared between conventional and culture-based algorithms and the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was estimated. Results The cost of conventional and culture-based algorithms (per smear-negative TB case) was 15,026€ (39.5€) and 54,931€ (144€), respectively. The cost per TB confirmed and treated case was 455.3€ and 915.5€, respectively. The culture-based algorithm allowed to diagnose and treat 27 more cases for an additional cost of 39,905€ (1478€ per case). Conclusion MTB culture is cost-effective to diagnose smear-negative pulmonary TB according to WHO standards but did not reduce the cost of overtreatment due to long delay of culture results.
landing page: https://shs.hal.science/halshs-00866530
keyword: economic-evaluation
keyword: health-technology-assessment
keyword: infoeu-reposemanticspreprint
keyword: preprints-working-papers-
keyword: shsecohumanities-and-social-scienceseconomics-and-finance
keyword: smear-negative-pulmonary
keyword: tb-diagnosis
issued: 2026-05-09T14:23:59.638234
modified: 2026-05-09T14:23:59.638238
language: en
contact point: Organization
  fn: CCSD

test_moissonnage_selune
type: Agent

Is introducing rapid culture in the diagnostic algorithm of smear-negative tuberculosis cost-effective?
type: Distribution
format: HTML
access URL: https://shs.hal.science/halshs-00866530
issued: 2026-05-09T14:23:59.639554
modified: 2026-05-09T14:23:59.630796