Diagnosis- Laboratory Procedures

This series of interactive modules was developed by the Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Topics include laboratory safety, specimen collection, AFB smear microscopy, mycobacterial culture, and drug susceptibility testing. The modules are also available in PDF format for use in laboratory training programs.

This laboratory manual references best practices from the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI), the Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND) MGIT Procedure Manual, and laboratory procedures from the National Institutes of Health TB Research Unit, as well as biosafety recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Information in the manual includes standardized procedures related to sputum collection, handling, analyses, and reporting.

This guide was developed by the Global Laboratory Initiative, which is one of the Working Groups of the Stop TB Partnership. The guide replaces both the 1998 WHO and 2000 IUATLD guides on smear microscopy and contains many new elements.

This set of 11 training modules on the Xpert MTB/RIF assay was developed by Global Laboratory Initiative partners, including FIND, KNCV, USAID, CDC and WHO. The modules include topics such as biosafety, specimen collection and transportation, supplies management, installation, Xpert MTB/RIF procedures, recording and reporting, and troubleshooting.

This fact sheet provides information on the Xpert MTB/RIF Assay.

The HIV Rapid Testing Training Package, developed by CDC and WHO in collaboration with the Office of the United States Global AIDS Coordinator, is designed for laboratory technicians, nurses, and counselors at test sites. It provides them with the knowledge and skills to perform HIV rapid tests accurately and reliably in a safe and professional manner. The training package includes a trainer's guide, participant's manual, CD of all files, training video/DVD, job aides, and curriculum posters.

This report describes the updated guidelines for using nucleic acid amplification tests in the diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB).

This manual outlines a global strategy for the development and strengthening of TB laboratory networks. The strategy recognizes the need to upgrade existing laboratory services and to strengthen/build capacity to perform culture and drug susceptibility testing (DST) in areas experiencing a high burden of acid-fast bacilli (AFB) smear-negative TB associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and to support DOTS-Plus projects.

These guidelines for laboratory services are contained in a series of three manuals, two of which are focused on the technical aspects of tuberculosis microscopy and culture and a third which deals with laboratory management, including aspects such as laboratory safety and proficiency testing. These manuals have been developed for use in low-and middle-income countries with high tuberculosis prevalence and incidence rates. Not only are they targeted to everyday laboratory use, but also for incorporation in teaching and training of laboratory and other health care staff.

The Handbook of Tuberculosis, which explores the causes and available treatments of the widespread infection as well as current research into vaccination, is divided into three separate volumes covering different areas of study. Each volume is a resource to molecular and cell biologists, bacteriologists, immunologists, pathologists and pathophysiologists, clinicians and those working in the pharmaceutical industry and interested in world health. Volume 1: Molecular Biology and Biochemistry Volume 2: Immunology and Cell Biology Volume 3: Clinics, Diagnostics, Therapy and Epidemiology