Tuberculosis Research Laboratory (TRL)

Is a cartridge-based nucleic acid amplification test which is a primary diagnostic tool for the detection of Tuberculosis. It’s a semi-quantitative gene detection technology that’s based on fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and detection of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis (MTB) DNA and resistance to Rifampicin (RIF). 

Specimen: Pulmonary (expect gross blood) and Extra Pulmonary except, blood, stool,  and urine.

Mycobacteria Growth Indicator Tube (MGIT) – TB Culture (TBC) and Sensitivity (DST)

The MGIT 960 system is a liquid culture system used for the detection and recovery of mycobacteria. It is designed to yield better recovery and faster growth of mycobacteria compared to traditional solid cultures. MGIT can also be used for Drug Susceptibility Testing (DST) to determine which antibiotics are effective against TB bacteria.

Specimen: Pulmonary and Extra Pulmonary, except blood and stool.

Direct Smear Sputum Microscopy (DSSM)

Is a rapid and relatively inexpensive TB testing using Ziehl-Neelsen staining method, which colors the Acid-Fast bacilli (AFB) and examines them under the microscope to identify Mycobacterium Tuberculosis. 

Specimen: Pulmonary and Extra Pulmonary, except blood and stool 

Interferon Gamma Release (IGRA)/QuantiFERON TB Gold Plus (QFT)

 is a blood test that uses four (4) specific tubes (Nil, TB1, Mitogen, TB2) for the collection of blood samples, which are then incubated with specific TB antigens and controls. IGRA is used to detect the body’s immune response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB) infection, acting as a modern alternative to the Tuberculin Skin Testing (TST). IGRA testing is generally not affected by prior Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG), a vaccine used to prevent TB disease, usually given in infants and children, making it a preferred test for detecting latent TB infection in individuals. 

Specimen: Blood

Tuberculin Skin Test (TST)/ Mantoux Skin Test/ PPD Test

Counselling, Treatment and Monitoring of Drug Susceptible and Drug Resistant Tuberculosis

Case Holding is the set of procedures to ensure that the patient with confirmed Tuberculosis is properly managed, treated, and monitored to prevent the spread of disease and ensure a successful outcome. 

• Proper and regular adherence to counselling is important to the treatment of TB patients. It shall start before the treatment and continue two weeks after treatment, as well as monthly throughout the duration of treatment. 

• Assigning of the appropriate anti-TB treatment regimen based on their diagnostic test result for bacteriologically confirmed TB or physician discretion for clinically diagnosed TB. Treatment shall be started within 5-7 days from diagnosis for bacteriologically confirmed TB.

• Treatment monitoring shall be undertaken by clinical, microbiological (Direct Smear Sputum Microscopy and Culture), and laboratory investigation according to recommended schedules and as needed.

Research Support and Development

Local 1384

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Research Education, Training and Development

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Local 1383

Research Dissemination and Publication

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Local 1384