WHO has issued policy guidance on the use of liquid TB culture and drug susceptibility testing (DST) and rapid species identification in low-resource settings. This guidance is based on recommendations from an expert group that were endorsed by the WHO Strategic and Technical Advisory Group for TB (STAG) in June 2007. In developing these recommendations, the group reviewed the extensive literature on liquid culture and DST, as well as data accumulated by FIND through its demonstration projects of MGIT culture and DST and the Capilia TB assay for rapid species identification. The WHO policy recommends phased implementation of these systems as a part of a country-specific comprehensive plan for laboratory capacity strengthening, and addresses key issues, including biosafety, customer support, staff training, maintenance of infrastructure and equipment, specimen transport, and reporting of results.

Summary of guidelines

Detailed recommendations