The study will use the VereMTB tool for rapid diagnosis of TB or non-tuberculous mycobacterium (NTM) pulmonary infections in hospitalised patients, with positive results in acid-fast bacilli smears, which are emerging in many regions of the world.

Delay in diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis was common in hospitalised patients all around the world, and was associated with poorer outcomes, including respiratory failure and mortality. Rapid and accurate tools for diagnosis of TB is of great importance in initial treatment and for better treatment outcomes. Other than TB, non-tuberculous mycobacterium (NTM) pulmonary infections are emerging in many regions of the world. These bacterium are more common to be found in respiratory specimens than MTB. With similar clinical presentation of NTM pulmonary infections and pulmonary TB, misdiagnosis of NTM pulmonary infections to pulmonary TB would lead to unnecessary intake of anti-TB medications and delay of the initiation of corresponding treatment.

This test aims to detect MTB as well differentiate the NTM species involved in pulmonary infections simultaneously using VereMTB.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age 18 or older
2. One or more symptoms compatible with mycobacterial pulmonary infections, including fever, cough, sputum production,hemoptysis dyspnea, chest pain and weight loss
3. One or more sputum samples with positive AFB smear

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Receiving anti-mycobacterial treatment for more than one week
2. Refusal to consent

Patients admitted to the Prince of Wales Hospital with suspected pulmonary TB with positive AFB smears will be identified by Infectious Diseases physicians and recruited accordingly.