 Up to 400 TB suspects will be consecutively screened for their eligibility for participation in the study. In those who are eligible according to the criteria listed above to participate, 2 sputum samples and one urine will be collected for standard diagnostic testing for TB in sputum smear, Line Probe Assays and culture methods, as defined in the national guidelines and for the evaluation of the new assays; one blood sample will be collected for analysis of lipoprotein profiles in serum of TB patients. Further, a HIV test and a clinical examination will be performed in all study subjects. Information on risk factors for TB disease co-morbidities such as diabetes mellitus, co-medication such as steroids and risk behaviour such as smoking will be also documented. 