Completion of the evaluation of the OMNIgene.SPUTUM
The evaluation of the OMNIgene.SPUTUM, a novel medium for decontaminating and preservation of tuberculosis (TB) samples for diagnosis was recently completed. The project as funded by a Canadian company, DNA Genotek Inc., and the study was conducted as a partnership between the University of St. Andrews and Mozambique’s National Institute of Health in Maputo.
The final evaluation report was submitted to the funder on 15th September 2016 and was received with great appreciation of the level of science deployed in evaluating the novel medium. The medium proved superior to the currently used medium in suppressing contaminants and increasing the sensitivity of solid culture as well as being easy to use. Contamination of TB cultures is a big problem and so OMNIgene.SPUTUM is great news to the clinical management of TB. Based on our result, the Mozambique National TB Control Programme has decided to use the medium in conducting their national TB survey.
The image below is of the laboratory technicians being trained to conduct the study in Maputo, Mozambique.