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The Global Laboratory Initiative (GLI) is a network of international partners dedicated to accelerating and expanding access to quality assured laboratory services in response to the diagnostic challenges of TB, notably HIV-associated and drug-resistant TB. The GLI provides a focus for TB within the framework of a multi-faceted yet integrated approach to laboratory capacity strengthening.
News
TB laboratory manuals issued to support the implementation of WHO-recommended diagnostics
13 May 2022 - Three new manuals were released today to support the implementation of molecular WHO-recommended rapid diagnostic tests for the detection of TB and drug-resistant TB, the processing of stool samples for the diagnosis of childhood TB and the interpretation and reporting of line probe assays (LPAs) for detection of drug-resistant TB. These manuals were developed by WHO and the Stop TB Partnership’s Global Laboratory Initiative (GLI) working group.
The first product assists implementers in the assessment of the most appropriate technologies to detect tuberculosis (TB) and drug resistant TB (DR-TB) in their settings. The manual includes a description of the tests, which data and the types of analyses are needed to make an informed decision, and a decision tree to select the most suitable testing technologies based on setting-specific situational analysis.
The second product provides practical information to implement the recent WHO recommendations for using stool, a child-friendly sample type, to detect TB and resistance to rifampicin in children using the Xpert MTB/RIF and/or Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra tests. The manual includes a description of two processing methods, steps to perform the methods and implementation considerations.
The third document updates the GLI guide for the interpretation and reporting of line probe assays that was released in 2018. The revisions incorporate updates in the interpretation of mutations associated with TB drug resistance to align with the latest information in the 2021 WHO Catalogue of mutations in Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex and their association with drug resistance. The manual includes a description of LPAs for detection of TB drug resistance, a standardized interpretation of results for both first- and second-line drugs, and case studies for practical demonstration.
- Manual for selection of molecular WHO-recommended rapid diagnostic tests for detection of tuberculosis and drug-resistant tuberculosis
- Practical manual of processing stool samples for diagnosis of childhood TB
- Line probe assays (LPA) for detection of drug-resistant tuberculosis: interpretation and reporting manual for laboratory staff and clinicians
The documents are also available on the WHO Global TB Programme website.
Planning and Budgeting Tool for TB and drug resistant TB testing
The Global Laboratory Initiative (GLI), with its secretariat at the World Health Organization (WHO) Global TB Programme, is pleased to release a Planning and Budgeting Tool for TB and Drug Resistant TB Testing for calculation of quantities and costs of diagnostic products and laboratory supplies. The tool references product numbers and prices in the Stop TB Partnership Global Drug Facility (GDF) Diagnostics, Medical Devices, and other Health Products Catalog.
The toolkit includes a semi-automated, editable, Excel-based calculation tool and an accompanying User Guide that explains editable fields and methods for calculation of goods within each Excel worksheet. Importantly, tool calculations take country-specific epidemiology and diagnostic algorithms into account when considering each user’s diagnostic product and laboratory supply needs. Worksheets with calculation tables are included for all WHO recommended diagnostic and drug susceptibility testing methods as well as items related to biosafety, cleaning, equipment maintenance and repair.
The tool presents users with an automated annual Budget Summary that provide users with an overview of items for testing, cleaning, and biosafety as well as maintenance and repair costs. Lastly, an automated annual Laboratory Items Summary provides a list of all items to be purchased and associated total costs based on user inputs.
The Tool and User Guide are available on the GLI website and on the WHO website.
Planning and budgeting tool for TB and drug resistant TB testing: calculation tool
Planning and budgeting tool for TB and drug resistant TB testing: User guide
Practical Guide to Implementation of Truenat tests
Practical implementation of LF-LAM for detection of active TB in people living with HIV
GLI TB Laboratory Safety Handbook
Practical considerations for implementation of the Abbott RealTime MTB and Abbott RealTime MTB RIF/INH tests
Practical considerations for implementation of the BD MAX MDR-TB test
Practical considerations for implementation of the Roche cobas MTB and cobas MTB-RIF/INH assays
Practical considerations for implementation of the Bruker-Hain Lifesciences FluoroType MTB and FluoroType MTBDR
Practical considerations for implementation of the Cepheid Xpert MTB/XDR test
Practical considerations for implementation of the Nipro Genoscholar PZA-TB II assay
Practical considerations for implementation of the loop-mediated isothermal amplification (TB-LAMP) test