Accurate and rapid diagnosis is crucial for tuberculosis control by ensuring a timely start to treatment and reducing transmission. In 2012, almost one third of tuberculosis cases were not diagnosed and/or reported to national tuberculosis programmes (NTPs), and <25% of estimated incident multidrug-resistant (MDR) cases were diagnosed [1]. Xpert MTB/RIF (Cepheid, Sunnyvale, CA, USA), a nucleic acid amplification test, was recommended in 2010 by the World Health Organization (WHO) for detection of HIV-associated pulmonary tuberculosis and rifampicin resistance [2]. In 2013, the test was recommended for detection of paediatric tuberculosis and some forms of extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB), as well as an initial test to replace smear microscopy [3].