Practical course on the rapid molecular detection of M. tuberculosis and its resistance to isoniazid and rifampin usin

1. together with the Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND) Ethiopian Health and Nutrition Research Institute (EHNRI) Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, BelgiumEthiopian and US Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) Automated MTBDRplus testing • Learning objectives: • Implementation of biosafety measures for molecular testing of M. tuberculosis • Use and maintenance of essential instruments • Basics in molecular biology • Molecular mechanisms of resistance to isoniazid and rifampin in M. tuberculosis • Introduction and use of the GenoType® MTBDRplus test • Control contamination in a PCR laboratory • Monitor quality indicators Practical course on the rapid molecular detection of M. tuberculosis and its resistance to isoniazid and rifampin using the GenoType® MTBDRplus test January 26-30, 2009, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia M. tuberculosis cell wall Line probe assay patterns Example of optimal PCR laboratory

2. Course modules: • Tuberculosis, multidrug-resistant tuberculosis and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis • Biosafety • Use and maintenance of the biosafety cabinet • Essential equipment for the MTBDRplus test: use and maintenance • Basics in molecular biology • Molecular mechanisms of resistance to isoniazid and rifampin • Appropriate PCR laboratory lay out and set up • Specimen preparation for MTBDRplus testing • Reagent preparation for MTBDRplus testing • Amplification and detection with the MTBDRplus test • Interpretation of results with the MTBDRplus test • Contamination control and troubleshooting with the MTBDRplus test • Development and presentation of the course will involve faculty and laboratory experts from the following institutions: • FIND • African Centre for Integrated Laboratory Training • CDC Ethiopia • CDC Global AIDS Program, Atlanta • Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium • Hain Lifescience “These tests are envisioned to make a dramatic impact on the early laboratory diagnosis of MDR-TB patients. Furthermore, utilization in the field is envisioned to reduce overall laboratory costs to national TB control programmes,” says Dr. Gerrit Coetzee, Head of the National TB Reference Laboratory of the National Health Laboratory Service. For information about the course, please contact: Dr. Ákos Somosköviakos.somoskovi@finddiagnostics.org; Dr. Rahul Narang: rahuldevnarang@gmail.com Mulualem Agonafir: muluago2001@yahoo.com