Current approaches for diagnosis of subclinical pulmonary tuberculosis, clinical implications and future perspectives: a scoping review

Introduction: Subclinical tuberculosis (TB) is the presence of TB disease among people who are either asymptomatic or have minimal symptoms. Areas covered: Currently, there are no accurate diagnostic tools and clear treatment approaches for subclinical TB. In this study, a comprehensive literature search was conducted across major databases. This review aimed to uncover the latest advancements in diagnostic approaches, explore their clinical implications, and outline potential future perspectives. While innovative technologies are in development to enable sputum-free TB tests, there remains a critical need for precise diagnostic tools tailored to the unique characteristics of subclinical TB. Given the complexity of subclinical TB, a multidisciplinary approach involving clinicians, microbiologists, epidemiologists, and public health experts is essential. Further research is needed to establish standardized diagnostic criteria and treatment guidelines specifically tailored for subclinical TB, acknowledging the unique challenges posed by this elusive stage of the disease. Expert opinion: Efforts are needed for the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of subclinical TB. In this review, we describe the importance of subclinical TB, both from a clinical and public health perspective and highlight the diagnostic and treatment gaps of this stage.