Methods

A modified Delphi method was used to prepare an algorithm using the iADVISE platform (Within3, OH, USA). Nine experts from Latin American countries iteratively answered 24 online questions about diagnostic methods and their application in specific cases for two weeks. The questions were written by an external microbiologist and infectious diseases specialist with high expertise in the area and reviewed by a multidisciplinary panel. The experts also met to review the proposed algorithm in two online meetings during this period.
The consensus level was determined for each of the 24 initial questions using a simple yes/no count. For questions with a low level of agreement (less than 7/9 matched responses), further discussion was necessary to reach a consensus. Recommendations were only made if the consensus level was above this threshold.