Data from a new study has revealed that TB -Loop-mediated isothermal Amplification (TB-LAMP) technology is effective for diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis in Nigeria.
TB-LAMP is a new molecular-based test recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO) for detection of tuberculosis.
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The pilot study conducted by the KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation Nigeria in collaboration with the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Program (NTBLCP) in Anambra and Nasarawa was done with the USAID funded KNCV TB LON regions 1 and 2 project.
Presenting the report of the study during a dissemination meeting yesterday in Abuja, Director, Laboratory Services of KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation Nigeria , Nkiru Nwokoye said the major push for the study was to find a means of expanding access to TB diagnosis in the country.
She said TB-LAMP can be considered an alternative test for sputum smear microscopy.
She said, “It is recommended that TB-LAMP be deployed and used as an alternative diagnostic test for pulmonary tuberculosis among adults especially in areas of Nigeria where Xpert MTB/RIF is not accessible.”
Bethrand Odume, Executive Director , KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation Nigeria , and Chief of party USAID TB LON Regions 1 and 2 project, said TB-LAMP required less infrastructural support, minimal instrumentation, can test 70 samples per day, and gives fluorescent results that can be read with the naked eyes.
“It is less dependent on power, comes with solar panel and is not limited by ambient temperature and as such can be sited in peripheral facilities with power challenges,” he said.
National Coordinator of the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme of the Federal Ministry of Health, Dr. Chukwuma Anyaike said the study is important because evidence generation is key to policy formulation or change.
He said the study was also timely because the country is facing challenges in the three major strategies of kicking TB out of the country. They are primary prevention, diagnosis and effective treatment.
He also called on stakeholders to support government’s effort towards a new national TB prevalence survey since the last one was conducted in 2012.
Dr Ayodele Awe, of the World Health Organization (WHO) Nigeria office said the major problem of TB in Nigeria is the low case detection and not treatment, as it has at least 85% treatment rate.
He said case detection is a factor of diagnosis because the country is not able to diagnosis all those presenting with cough.
“We are hoping that very soon, we will get to that level like malaria and HIV where there are rapid molecular diagnostic tool that you can do in your house.
“TB hasn’t gotten to that level yet. Nigeria started the use of genexpert since 2014 but we have not been able to buy one for each of the 774 local government areas.
“We still have 40% coverage of local government areas .So cases are being found but not diagnosed. We are looking for how we can get closer to increasing accessibility to diagnostic tools, that is why we are happy and thank USAID for bringing TB-LAMP,” he said.
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