AI Tools in Tuberculosis Screening

February 25, 2025

The fight against tuberculosis (TB) in India is at a critical juncture. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ambitious goal to eliminate TB by 2025 faces hurdles. Recent developments highlight a disconnect between technological advancements and their implementation in public health programmes.

AI Tools Developed for TB Screening

Two notable AI solutions are qXR from Qure.ai and Genki from DeepTek.
Both tools have been assessed for sensitivity and specificity.
qXR has over 90% sensitivity and more than 70% specificity.
Genki also shows similar promising results.
These tools have been implemented in multiple sites across India and globally, demonstrating their potential to revolutionise TB screening.

Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Process

The HTAIn committee evaluates new technologies for cost-effectiveness and efficacy. However, the Central TB Division (CTD) has delayed the introduction of approved AI tools into the national programme. Although both qXR and Genki received positive assessments, they remain unutilised. This contrasts with the CTD’s recommendation for another AI tool, DeepCXR, which lacks a formal HTA assessment.

Implementation Challenges

Despite the availability of effective AI tools, the CTD’s slow response is alarming. The DeepCXR tool, although approved for use, is not widely communicated to state health departments. This lack of clarity hampers the timely integration of AI solutions into TB screening efforts.

Cost-Effectiveness of AI Solutions

Both qXR and Genki have been found to be cost-effective. The cost per case for qXR is ₹30, while Genki costs ₹22. These figures suggest that implementing these tools could lead to savings in TB detection efforts.

Importance of Chest X-rays in TB Detection

Chest X-rays are crucial in identifying presumptive and subclinical TB cases. They have proven effective in various surveys, detecting a large portion of TB cases. AI-assisted interpretation enhances the speed and accuracy of this process, making it suitable for resource-limited settings.

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