CDST labs and their role

Discuss the C&DST Labs in the context of the Lab Network. Enumerate functions and services expected from a C&DST Lab. Discuss the NTEP accreditation and how QA is maintained by NRLs at a C&DST Lab.

Under the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP), many labs are established at the regional level within states for providing Culture and Drug Susceptibility Testing (C&DST) facilities for presumptive TB/DRTB and for TB/DRTB patients.

• C&DST laboratories are mostly located in intermediate reference laboratories (IRLs) or medical colleges.
• There are 42 C&DST laboratories established under the programme in different geographies.
• Dedicated human resources are provided for the laboratories under the programme.
• Districts are linked with laboratories for providing facilities for Culture and DST using:
  • Phenotypic Methods (Solid – Lowenstein Jensen (LJ), and Liquid Culture – Mycobacteria Growth Indicator Tube (MGIT))
  • Genotypic technology (Line Probe Assay (LPA) and Cartridge Based Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (CBNAAT))

  

  Figure: Culture and Drug Susceptibility Testing (C&DST) facility,
  Source: The Foundation For Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND)

  Resources

  • Guidelines for Programmatic Management of Drug Resistant TB in India, 2021
  • Training Modules (1-4) for Programme Managers and Medical Officers; New Delhi, India: Central TB Division, July 2020

  Kindly provide your valuable feedback on the page to the link provided HERE