StAAHR Logo
Upcoming Events

Tuberculosis Molecular Bacterial Load Assay (TB-MBLA)

The tuberculosis Molecular Bacterial Load Assay (TB-MBLA) test is the first of its kind in the world of mycobacteriology. The test deploys molecular principles to detect and quantify viable Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) load in a patient sample. Ability to detect viable bacteria enables the use of the test for monitoring response to anti-TB therapy, in which case it measures the number of live bacteria left following initiation of treatment.

The translational training is aimed at clinical and laboratory practitioners and researchers. The training will cover the technical aspects of performing TB-MBLA test as well as contextual aspects of applying the test in the real-world clinical setting. Technical aspects will include isolation of RNA from Mtb, preparation and running of reverse transcriptase quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and analysis of the RT-qPCR results. Translational aspects will include interactive discussion on interpretation of results in a clinical context, and on where and when to deploy the test in a routine clinical setting. The last session will cover the principles of translating biomedical research innovations into policy and practice.

Jove Logo
Link describes the TB-MBLA processes. It describes the process from RNA extraction to PCR and results. . Read more.
Spiking the extraction control into the sample is crucial to control for extraction and downstream PCR processes. This processes is explained in further details in the below videos:
This introduces the clinical scenario and explains the clinical implication that warrants performance of TB-MBLA. Next the video explains the important steps of RNA extraction, PCR prep and results interpretation.
Describes the PCR results analysis including the importation and use of standard curve to translate quantification cycles (Cq) into bacterial load (CFU/mL).
Recaps PCR results analysis and explains the clinical implications of such results, It invites students to think about further investigations they may have to do in order understand the patient and their surrounding.
17 March 2021 Training
Vital Bacteria Logo

The University of St Andrews School of Medicine leads in manufacturing the TB-MBLA kits under the trademark Vitalbacteria. The kits are distributed by the SOI Group Ltd.

Scientists at the University of St Andrews have developed an innovative test to measure tuberculosis bacteria and how they change in response to medication in 4h. The test compromises three steps: 1) isolation of Mycobaterium tuberculosis RNA from the patient sample, 2) Reverse transcriptase quantitatve polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and 3) translation of the RT-qPCR output to bacterial load measured as colony forming units per mL.

X

Cookie preferences