Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 2, 2026
A Tuberculosis Molecular Bacterial Load Assay (TB-MBLA)
Published on: April 30, 2020
Monitoring the performance of mycobacteriology laboratories: a proposal for standardized indicators
K D McCarthy1, B Metchock, A Kanphukiew
1Division of Tuberculosis Elimination, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, USA. kmccarthy3@cdc.gov
Setting:
Thailand Tuberculosis (TB) Active Surveillance Network: Bangkok, Chiang Rai, Phuket, Tak and Ubon-Ratchathani, Thailand.
Background:
Mycobacteriology laboratories in resource-limited, high TB burden settings are expanding to perform conventional solid media culture and broth-based mycobacteriology culture. Indicators that measure how well a laboratory performs sputum microscopy have been developed and broadly implemented. Routine monitoring of sputum culture performance, however, is not as common.
Design:
We implemented indicators for monitoring the quality of laboratory services in five province-level mycobacteriology culture facilities in Thailand. These indicators were derived from literature review, consultation with subject matter experts and our program experience.
Conclusions:
We believe that an international consensus document providing monitoring guidelines for mycobacteriology laboratories is urgently needed.
