Harmonised definitions used in classifying study participants
| Classification | Definition |
|---|---|
| Definite TB | Sputum culture-positive for MTB. OR 2 positive smears and symptoms responding to TB treatment. OR 1 positive smear plus CXR suggestive of PTB. |
| Probable TB | 1 positive smear and symptoms responding to TB treatment. OR CXR evidence and symptoms responding to TB treatment. |
| Questionable | Positive smear(s), but no other supporting evidence. OR CXR suggestive of PTB, but no other supporting evidence. OR Treatment initiated by healthcare providers on clinical suspicion only. No other supporting evidence. |
| No-PTB | Negative cultures, negative smears, negative CXR and treatment never initiated by healthcare providers. |
CXR, chest X-ray; MTB, Mycobacterium tuberculosis; No-PTB, non-‘pulmonary TB’; TB, pulmonary TB.