The organization of laboratory services for a"Tuberculosis control programme." | [Challenge • 1988]

Author(s):

1. Giovanni Fadda: ICD Consultant Referral Laboratoty TB Cont. Program Institute of Medical MicroBiology, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy

2. Giovanni De Virgilio: ICD Consultant Referral Laboratoty TB Cont. Program Institute of Medical MicroBiology, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy

3. Paolo Mantellini: ICD Consultant Referral Laboratoty TB Cont. Program Institute of Medical MicroBiology, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy

4. Mantellini Piva: ICD Consultant Referral Laboratoty TB Cont. Program Institute of Medical MicroBiology, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy

5. Michele Sertoli: ICD Consultant Referral Laboratoty TB Cont. Program Institute of Medical MicroBiology, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy

Abstract:

In a "Tuberculosis Control Programme" the patients' response to therapy should have always carefully monitored. If after 4 or 5 months of regular drug intake the patient's smears or cultures are still positive the drug-regimens should probably be changed. The role of the "Referral Laboratory" at this stage is essential. It is therefore important to emphasize that cultures, as well as susceptibility tests for M. tuberculosis have to be performed only by reliable experienced laboratories. Those should have to be proficient in mycobacterial studies, with internal quality control check, and at least 10 susceptibility tests done each week. Only in such conditions the proficiency of the laboratory may be best maintained and major mistakes avoided. Faulty results, in fact, could be more dangerous for the patient than total absence of results.

Page(s): 27-35

DOI: DOI not available

Published: Journal: Challenge, Volume: 29, Issue: 1, Year: 1988

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