Diagnostic accuracy of a selected signature gene set that discriminates active pulmonary tuberculosis and other pulmonary diseases.

•An accurate and cost effective TB diagnostic test is a way towards eradication of TB.•GBP5 and KLF2 distinguished active TB from other lung diseases and healthy controls in whole blood using PCR.•The signature two-gene set demonstrated to be instrumental for the diagnosis of TB.•This gene set may be useful as surrogate biomarker for monitoring TB therapy.