Introduction of Second Line Probe Assay in Laboratory System in Ethiopia
Introduction of Second Line Probe Assay in Laboratory System in Ethiopia
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Previously, Ethiopia used conventional methods for mycobacteria culture and drug susceptibility testing, which take 4-12 weeks to get results and require sequential procedures for the diagnosis. The recently introduced second-line probe assay (SL-LPA) delivers results in just 24-48 hours, a vast improvement over the conventional method. This technical highlight describes the collaboration between the Ethiopian Public Health Institute and the USAID-funded Challenge TB project to develop an implementation plan that encompassed practical training on SL-LPA for all TB culture laboratories by availing SL-LPA kits, conducting validation of SL-LPA in each culture lab, providing mentorship, and calibrating basic equipment.