The cost-effectiveness of tuberculosis (TB) diagnostic algorithms using automated digital microscopy is uncertain. Automated digital microscopy can enhance the diagnosis of TB, especially in settings where molecular testing becomes expensive for the routine evaluation. Economic evaluation of TB diagnosis in South Africa was carried out by considering the costs and effectiveness of algorithms for automated digital microscopy.
The primary outcome was the incremental cost per new TB diagnosis obtained by comparing the results with manual microscopy and universal Xpert testing. Despite the preferred strategy, Universal Xpert testing costed $2000 per incremental TB diagnosis and testing volume of 30 specimens per day should be ensured. Whereas the automated digital microscopy provides the diagnosis at 50–60% of the total pricing and cost-effectiveness was $1280 per incremental TB diagnosis.…
