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.

Map showing the growing coverage of TB-MBLA as at August 2024.

Diagram overview of the Molecular Bacterial Load Assay (MBLA) process:

Figure 1.  Patient sample collection.

Figure 2. Spiking in of a known concentration of the extraction control into the patient sample and RNA extraction.

Figure 3. RT-qPCR using two sets of oligo, each with a different fluorophore.

Figure 4. Analysis of quantification in two separate channels, Green channel for sample quantification, Yellow channel for extraction control quantification.