Tuberculosis (TB)

Tuberculosis Specific activities

IQLS works significantly for TB control programs in different countries:
Benin, Cambodia, Ethiopia, Haiti, Ivory Coast, Lesotho, Myanmar, Sudan, Swaziland, Vietnam
Activities are articulated around different themes:

Training activities

• TB laboratory management training (Sudan, Vietnam, 2X5 days)
• TB microscopy laboratory assessment training (Vietnam, 5 days)
• TB laboratory quality management training (Benin, 3 days)
• TB laboratory biosafety training (Benin, 3 days)

Laboratory assessment

• Assessment of numerous TB laboratories, from microscopy to culture, DST, PCR, GeneXpert, etc., in several countries
• Development of a computerized assessment tool for TB culture laboratory assessment, “TB-LAT”, available in English and Russian, used in 25 countries worldwide
• Development of a specific assessment tool for TB microscopy laboratories, Vietnam

Laboratory facility design

• Design or redesign of TB laboratory
• Feasibility surveys, costing
• BSL2+/BSL3 design

Data management

• Development of a dedicated TB/HIV LIMS (Laboratory Information Management System), TBeLog, successfully in the 2 biggest laboratories in Vietnam
• Training on TB data management, diagnosis algorithms and associated data management processes (Vietnam)
• Feasibility studies for comprehensive computerized TB program management (Myanmar)

Laboratory networking

• Development of a specific TB laboratory network assessment tool (available in English, Russian and Viêt)
• Development of a 2 days specific workshop on laboratory networking, for national level decision makers and key stakeholders

Microscopy slide rechecking activities

• Development of a dedicated online interface for slide rechecking program management.
• Data entry, report management, statistics, graphs, lab follow-up
• Installation in Benin, Cambodia, Ethiopia, Haiti, Ivory Coast, Lesotho, Myanmar, Swaziland, Vietnam

TB laboratory network management web interface

• Combination of different modules:
• Slide rechecking management
• Training management
• Supervision management
• Documentation management
• Accessible by all TB programs actors (lab specialists, coordination, epidemiologists, clinicians, nurses, pharmacists, etc.)

Panel testing EQA program organization

• Organization of different EQA programs for TB:
  • Microscopy scheme (light or fluorescence)
  • Identification and DST, based on simulated sputums which can include MDR-TB (but not XDR-TB) are sent for EQA purpose
  • GeneXpert specific scheme
• Development of online interface for national EQA program management (rechecking and panel testing)

Specific skills and certificates of the IQLS staff

• “BSL3 Facilities: Design, Construction and Beyond”, Eagleson institute, Raleigh, 2014
• “Advanced BSL3 Work Practices and Procedures” , Eagleson institute, Raleigh, 2014
• “Training on the GeneXpert MTB-Rif assay”, Cepheid, Toulouse, France, 2013