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Iúdice TNDS, da Conceição ML, de Brito AC, de Souza NM, Mesquita CR, Guimarães RJDPSE, Furlaneto IP, Saboia ADS, Lourenço MCDS, Lima KVB, Conceição EC. The Role of GeneXpert ® for Tuberculosis Diagnostics in Brazil: An Examination from a Historical and Epidemiological Perspective. Trop Med Infect Dis 2023; 8:483. [PMID: 37999602 PMCID: PMC10674801 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed8110483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The rapid molecular test (RMT) performed on the GeneXpert® system is widely used as a control strategy and surveillance technique for tuberculosis (TB). In the region of the Americas, TB incidence is slowly increasing owing to an upward trend in Brazil, which is among the high TB-burden countries (HBCs), ranking in the 19th position. In this context, we aimed to (i) describe the implementation and history of RMT-TB (Xpert® MTB/RIF and Xpert® MTB/RIF Ultra) in Brazil; (ii) to evaluate the national RMT laboratory distribution, TB, and resistance to RIF detection by RMT; and (iii) to correlate these data with Brazilian TB incidence. The quantitative data of Xpert® MTB/RIF and Xpert® MTB/RIF Ultra assays performed in the pulmonary TB investigation from 2014 to 2020 were provided by the Brazilian Ministry of Health. A spatial visualization using ArcGIS software was performed. The Southeast region constituted about half of the RMT laboratories-from 39.4% to 45.9% of the total value over the five regions. Regarding the federal units, the São Paulo state alone represented from 20.2% to 34.1% (5.0 to 8.5 times the value) of RMT laboratories over the years observed. There were significant differences (p < 0.0001) in the frequency of RMT laboratories between all years of the historical series. There was an unequal distribution of RMT laboratories between Brazilian regions and federal units. This alerts us for the surveillance of rapid molecular detection of TB in different parts of the country, with the possibility of improving the distribution of tests in areas of higher incidence in order to achieve the level of disease control recommended by national and worldwide authorities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tirça Naiara da Silva Iúdice
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Biologia Parasitária na Amazônia, Universidade do Estado do Pará, Belém-Pará 66087-670, PA, Brazil; (T.N.d.S.I.); (C.R.M.)
| | | | - Artemir Coelho de Brito
- Coordenação-Geral de Vigilância da Tuberculose, Micoses Endêmicas e Micobactérias Não Tuberculosas—CGTM, Ministério da Saúde, Brasília 70000-000, DF, Brazil; (A.C.d.B.)
| | - Nicole Menezes de Souza
- Coordenação-Geral de Vigilância da Tuberculose, Micoses Endêmicas e Micobactérias Não Tuberculosas—CGTM, Ministério da Saúde, Brasília 70000-000, DF, Brazil; (A.C.d.B.)
| | - Cristal Ribeiro Mesquita
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Biologia Parasitária na Amazônia, Universidade do Estado do Pará, Belém-Pará 66087-670, PA, Brazil; (T.N.d.S.I.); (C.R.M.)
| | | | | | - Alessandra de Souza Saboia
- Laboratório de Bacteriologia e Bioensaios em Micobactérias, Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, RJ, Brazil; (A.d.S.S.); (M.C.d.S.L.)
| | - Maria Cristina da Silva Lourenço
- Laboratório de Bacteriologia e Bioensaios em Micobactérias, Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, RJ, Brazil; (A.d.S.S.); (M.C.d.S.L.)
| | - Karla Valéria Batista Lima
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Biologia Parasitária na Amazônia, Universidade do Estado do Pará, Belém-Pará 66087-670, PA, Brazil; (T.N.d.S.I.); (C.R.M.)
- Seção de Bacteriologia e Micologia, Instituto Evandro Chagas, Ananindeua 67030-000, PA, Brazil;
| | - Emilyn Costa Conceição
- Pós-Graduação em Pesquisa Clínica e Doenças Infecciosas, Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro 67030-000, RJ, Brazil
- Department of Science and Innovation–National Research Foundation Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Tuberculosis Research, South African Medical Research Council Centre for Tuberculosis Research, Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town 7505, South Africa
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Engel N, Ochodo EA, Karanja PW, Schmidt BM, Janssen R, Steingart KR, Oliver S. Rapid molecular tests for tuberculosis and tuberculosis drug resistance: a qualitative evidence synthesis of recipient and provider views. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2022; 4:CD014877. [PMID: 35470432 PMCID: PMC9038447 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd014877.pub2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Programmes that introduce rapid molecular tests for tuberculosis and tuberculosis drug resistance aim to bring tests closer to the community, and thereby cut delay in diagnosis, ensure early treatment, and improve health outcomes, as well as overcome problems with poor laboratory infrastructure and inadequately trained personnel. Yet, diagnostic technologies only have an impact if they are put to use in a correct and timely manner. Views of the intended beneficiaries are important in uptake of diagnostics, and their effective use also depends on those implementing testing programmes, including providers, laboratory professionals, and staff in health ministries. Otherwise, there is a risk these technologies will not fit their intended use and setting, cannot be made to work and scale up, and are not used by, or not accessible to, those in need. OBJECTIVES To synthesize end-user and professional user perspectives and experiences with low-complexity nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) for detection of tuberculosis and tuberculosis drug resistance; and to identify implications for effective implementation and health equity. SEARCH METHODS We searched MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, PsycInfo and Science Citation Index Expanded databases for eligible studies from 1 January 2007 up to 20 October 2021. We limited all searches to 2007 onward because the development of Xpert MTB/RIF, the first rapid molecular test in this review, was completed in 2009. SELECTION CRITERIA We included studies that used qualitative methods for data collection and analysis, and were focused on perspectives and experiences of users and potential users of low-complexity NAATs to diagnose tuberculosis and drug-resistant tuberculosis. NAATs included Xpert MTB/RIF, Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra, Xpert MTB/XDR, and the Truenat assays. Users were people with presumptive or confirmed tuberculosis and drug-resistant tuberculosis (including multidrug-resistant (MDR-TB)) and their caregivers, healthcare providers, laboratory technicians and managers, and programme officers and staff; and were from any type of health facility and setting globally. MDR-TB is tuberculosis caused by resistance to at least rifampicin and isoniazid, the two most effective first-line drugs used to treat tuberculosis. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS We used a thematic analysis approach for data extraction and synthesis, and assessed confidence in the findings using GRADE CERQual approach. We developed a conceptual framework to illustrate how the findings relate. MAIN RESULTS We found 32 studies. All studies were conducted in low- and middle-income countries. Twenty-seven studies were conducted in high-tuberculosis burden countries and 21 studies in high-MDR-TB burden countries. Only one study was from an Eastern European country. While the studies covered a diverse use of low-complexity NAATs, in only a minority of studies was it used as the initial diagnostic test for all people with presumptive tuberculosis. We identified 18 review findings and grouped them into three overarching categories. Critical aspects users value People with tuberculosis valued reaching diagnostic closure with an accurate diagnosis, avoiding diagnostic delays, and keeping diagnostic-associated cost low. Similarly, healthcare providers valued aspects of accuracy and the resulting confidence in low-complexity NAAT results, rapid turnaround times, and keeping cost to people seeking a diagnosis low. In addition, providers valued diversity of sample types (for example, gastric aspirate specimens and stool in children) and drug resistance information. Laboratory professionals appreciated the improved ease of use, ergonomics, and biosafety of low-complexity NAATs compared to sputum microscopy, and increased staff satisfaction. Challenges reported to realizing those values People with tuberculosis and healthcare workers were reluctant to test for tuberculosis (including MDR-TB) due to fears, stigma, or cost concerns. Thus, low-complexity NAAT testing is not implemented with sufficient support or discretion to overcome barriers that are common to other approaches to testing for tuberculosis. Delays were reported at many steps of the diagnostic pathway owing to poor sample quality; difficulties with transporting specimens; lack of sufficient resources; maintenance of low-complexity NAATs; increased workload; inefficient work and patient flows; over-reliance on low-complexity NAAT results in lieu of clinical judgement; and lack of data-driven and inclusive implementation processes. These challenges were reported to lead to underutilization. Concerns for access and equity The reported concerns included sustainable funding and maintenance and equitable use of resources to access low-complexity NAATs, as well as conflicts of interest between donors and people implementing the tests. Also, lengthy diagnostic delays, underutilization of low-complexity NAATs, lack of tuberculosis diagnostic facilities in the community, and too many eligibility restrictions hampered access to prompt and accurate testing and treatment. This was particularly the case for vulnerable groups, such as children, people with MDR-TB, or people with limited ability to pay. We had high confidence in most of our findings. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS Low-complexity diagnostics have been presented as a solution to overcome deficiencies in laboratory infrastructure and lack of skilled professionals. This review indicates this is misleading. The lack of infrastructure and human resources undermine the added value new diagnostics of low complexity have for recipients and providers. We had high confidence in the evidence contributing to these review findings. Implementation of new diagnostic technologies, like those considered in this review, will need to tackle the challenges identified in this review including weak infrastructure and systems, and insufficient data on ground level realities prior and during implementation, as well as problems of conflicts of interest in order to ensure equitable use of resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nora Engel
- Department of Health, Ethics & Society, School of Public Health and Primary Care (CAPHRI), Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Eleanor A Ochodo
- Centre for Evidence-based Health Care, Department of Global Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
- Centre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, Kenya
| | | | - Bey-Marrié Schmidt
- School of Public Health, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Ricky Janssen
- Department of Health, Ethics & Society, School of Public Health and Primary Care (CAPHRI), Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Karen R Steingart
- Honorary Research Fellow, Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - Sandy Oliver
- EPPI-Centre, Social Science Research Unit, UCL Institute of Education, University College London, London, UK
- Africa Centre for Evidence, Faculty of Humanities, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa
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Nalugwa T, Handley M, Shete P, Ojok C, Nantale M, Reza T, Katamba A, Cattamanchi A, Ackerman S. Readiness to implement on-site molecular testing for tuberculosis in community health centers in Uganda. Implement Sci Commun 2022; 3:9. [PMID: 35109936 PMCID: PMC8812219 DOI: 10.1186/s43058-022-00260-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Newer molecular testing platforms are now available for deployment at lower-level community health centers. There are limited data on facility- and health worker-level factors that would promote successful adoption of such platforms for rapid tuberculosis (TB) testing and treatment initiation. Our study aimed to assess readiness to implement onsite molecular testing at community health centers in Uganda, a high TB burden country in sub-Saharan Africa. Methods To understand implementation readiness, we conducted a qualitative assessment guided by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) at 6 community health centers in central and eastern Uganda between February and April 2018. We conducted 23 in-depth, semi-structured interviews with health workers involved in TB care at each health center to assess TB-related work practices and readiness to adopt onsite molecular testing using the GeneXpert Edge platform. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and coded for thematic analysis. Results Participants (N=23) included 6 nurses/nursing assistants, 6 clinicians, 6 laboratory directors/technicians, 1 medical officer, 2 health center directors, and 2 other health workers involved in TB care. Health workers described general enthusiasm that on-site molecular testing could lead to greater efficiencies in TB diagnosis and treatment, including faster turn- around time for TB test results, lack of need for trained laboratory technicians to interpret results, and reduced need to transport sputum specimens to higher level facilities. However, health workers also expressed concerns about implementation feasibility. These included uncertainty about TB infection risk, safety risks from disposal of hazardous waste, a lack of local capacity to provide timely troubleshooting and maintenance services, and concerns about the security of GeneXpert devices and accessories. Health workers also expressed the need for backup batteries to support testing or charging when wall power is unstable. Conclusion Our study generated a nuanced understanding of modifiable contextual barriers and led to direct revisions of implementation strategies for onsite molecular testing. The findings highlight that novel diagnostics should be implemented along with health system co-interventions that address contextual barriers to their effective uptake. Pre-implementation assessment of stakeholder perspectives, collaborative work processes, and institutional contexts is essential when introducing innovative technology in complex health care settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Talemwa Nalugwa
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda. .,Uganda Tuberculosis Implementation Research Consortium, Kampala, Uganda.
| | - Margaret Handley
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.,Center for Vulnerable Populations, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Priya Shete
- Center for Tuberculosis, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.,Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, San Francisco General Hospital, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Christopher Ojok
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda.,Uganda Tuberculosis Implementation Research Consortium, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Mariam Nantale
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda.,Uganda Tuberculosis Implementation Research Consortium, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Tania Reza
- Center for Tuberculosis, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.,Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, San Francisco General Hospital, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Achilles Katamba
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda.,Uganda Tuberculosis Implementation Research Consortium, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Adithya Cattamanchi
- Center for Vulnerable Populations, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.,Center for Tuberculosis, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.,Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, San Francisco General Hospital, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Sara Ackerman
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
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Osorio L, Garcia JA, Parra LG, Garcia V, Torres L, Degroote S, Ridde V. A scoping review on the field validation and implementation of rapid diagnostic tests for vector-borne and other infectious diseases of poverty in urban areas. Infect Dis Poverty 2018; 7:87. [PMID: 30173662 PMCID: PMC6120097 DOI: 10.1186/s40249-018-0474-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2018] [Accepted: 08/01/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Health personnel face challenges in diagnosing vector-borne and other diseases of poverty in urban settings. There is a need to know what rapid diagnostic technologies are available, have been properly assessed, and are being implemented to improve control of these diseases in the urban context. This paper characterizes evidence on the field validation and implementation in urban areas of rapid diagnostics for vector-borne diseases and other diseases of poverty. MAIN BODY A scoping review was conducted. Peer-reviewed and grey literature were searched using terms describing the targeted infectious diseases, diagnostics evaluations, rapid tests, and urban setting. The review was limited to studies published between 2000 and 2016 in English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were refined post hoc to identify relevant literature regardless of study design and geography. A total of 179 documents of the 7806 initially screened were included in the analysis. Malaria (n = 100) and tuberculosis (n = 47) accounted for the majority of studies that reported diagnostics performance, impact, and implementation outcomes. Fewer studies, assessing mainly performance, were identified for visceral leishmaniasis (n = 9), filariasis and leptospirosis (each n = 5), enteric fever and schistosomiasis (each n = 3), dengue and leprosy (each n = 2), and Chagas disease, human African trypanosomiasis, and cholera (each n = 1). Reported sensitivity of rapid tests was variable depending on several factors. Overall, specificities were high (> 80%), except for schistosomiasis and cholera. Impact and implementation outcomes, mainly acceptability and cost, followed by adoption, feasibility, and sustainability of rapid tests are being evaluated in the field. Challenges to implementing rapid tests range from cultural to technical and administrative issues. CONCLUSIONS Rapid diagnostic tests for vector-borne and other diseases of poverty are being used in the urban context with demonstrated impact on case detection. However, most evidence comes from malaria rapid diagnostics, with variable results. While rapid tests for tuberculosis and visceral leishmaniasis require further implementation studies, more evidence on performance of current tests or development of new alternatives is needed for dengue, Chagas disease, filariasis, leptospirosis, enteric fever, human African trypanosomiasis, schistosomiasis and cholera.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lyda Osorio
- Epidemiology and Population Health Research Group, School of Public Health, Universidad del Valle, Calle 4B No. 36-00 Edif 118 Escuela de Salud Pública, Universidad del Valle Campus San Fernando, Cali, Colombia
| | - Jonny Alejandro Garcia
- Epidemiology and Population Health Research Group, School of Public Health, Universidad del Valle, Calle 4B No. 36-00 Edif 118 Escuela de Salud Pública, Universidad del Valle Campus San Fernando, Cali, Colombia
- School of Medicine, Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia
| | - Luis Gabriel Parra
- Epidemiology and Population Health Research Group, School of Public Health, Universidad del Valle, Calle 4B No. 36-00 Edif 118 Escuela de Salud Pública, Universidad del Valle Campus San Fernando, Cali, Colombia
- School of Medicine, Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia
| | - Victor Garcia
- Epidemiology and Population Health Research Group, School of Public Health, Universidad del Valle, Calle 4B No. 36-00 Edif 118 Escuela de Salud Pública, Universidad del Valle Campus San Fernando, Cali, Colombia
| | - Laura Torres
- Epidemiology and Population Health Research Group, School of Public Health, Universidad del Valle, Calle 4B No. 36-00 Edif 118 Escuela de Salud Pública, Universidad del Valle Campus San Fernando, Cali, Colombia
| | - Stéphanie Degroote
- University of Montreal Public Health Research Institute (IRSPUM), Montreal, Canada
| | - Valéry Ridde
- University of Montreal Public Health Research Institute (IRSPUM), Montreal, Canada
- French Institute for Research on Sustainable Development (IRD), Paris Descartes University, Population and Development Center (CEPED), Université Paris Sorbonne Cité, National Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM), Health, Vulnerabilities and Gender Relations South (SAGESUD), Paris, France
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Tuberculosis Treatment Outcomes and Factors Associated with Each of Them in a Cohort Followed Up between 2010 and 2014. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2017; 2017:3974651. [PMID: 29445736 PMCID: PMC5763121 DOI: 10.1155/2017/3974651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2017] [Revised: 11/25/2017] [Accepted: 12/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Tuberculosis treatment has undergone recent changes in Brazil. Objective. To assess whether favorable outcomes on tuberculosis therapy improved in recent years. Methods. Retrospective observational study, based on primary data of tuberculosis patients, followed at INI-FIOCRUZ, from January 2012 to December 2014. Results. The outcomes observed were as follows: cure (80%), default (14%), treatment failure (5%), and death (1%). HIV infection without antiretroviral therapy [OR 0.34 (0.15–0.79)], tuberculosis diagnosis based on sputum smear [OR 0.22 (0.07–0.74)], drug use [OR 0.22 (0.11–0.46)], and/or treatment interruption due to adverse reactions [OR 0.23 (0.08–0.67)] decreased the chance of cure. Predictors of default, that is, use of noninjecting drugs [OR 3.00 (95% CL 1.31–6.88)], treatment interruption due to adverse reactions [OR 6.30 (1.81–21.95)], low schooling [OR 2.59 (2.15–5.82)], higher age [OR 0.44 (0.23–0.82)], and female gender [OR 0.28 (0.11–0.71)], reduced the chance of treatment default. Tuberculosis diagnosis based on sputum smear [OR 7.77 (1.94–31.09)] and/or arterial hypertension [OR 4.07 (1.25–13.18)] was associated with treatment failure. Conclusion. Mortality and default were low considering the prevalence of HIV infection; however cure was not significantly increased.
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Rendell NL, Bekhbat S, Ganbaatar G, Dorjravdan M, Pai M, Dobler CC. Implementation of the Xpert MTB/RIF assay for tuberculosis in Mongolia: a qualitative exploration of barriers and enablers. PeerJ 2017; 5:e3567. [PMID: 28717600 PMCID: PMC5511701 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.3567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2017] [Accepted: 06/21/2017] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective The aim of our study was to identify barriers and enablers to implementation of the Xpert MTB/RIF test within Mongolia’s National Tuberculosis Program. Methods Twenty-foursemi-structured interviews were conducted between June and September 2015 with laboratory staff and tuberculosis physicians in Mongolia’s capital Ulaanbaatar and regional towns where Xpert MTB/RIF testing had been implemented. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, translated and analysed thematically using NVIVO qualitative analysis software. Results Eight laboratory staff (five from the National Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory in Ulaanbaatar and three from provincial laboratories) and sixteen tuberculosis physicians (five from the Mongolian National Center for Communicable Diseases in Ulaanbaatar, four from district tuberculosis clinics in Ulaanbaatar and seven from provincial tuberculosis clinics) were interviewed. Major barriers to Xpert MTB/RIF implementation identified were: lack of awareness of program guidelines; inadequate staffing arrangements; problems with cartridge supply management; lack of local repair options for the Xpert machines; lack of regular formal training; paper based system; delayed treatment initiation due to consensus meeting and poor sample quality. Enablers to Xpert MTB/RIF implementation included availability of guidelines in the local language; provision of extra laboratory staff, shift working arrangements and additional modules; capacity for troubleshooting internally; access to experts; opportunities for peer learning; common understanding of diagnostic algorithms and decentralised testing. Conclusion Our study identified a number of barriers and enablers to implementation of Xpert MTB/RIF in the Mongolian National Tuberculosis Program. Lessons learned from this study can help to facilitate implementation of Xpert MTB/RIF in other Mongolian locations as well as other low-and middle-income countries.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Solongo Bekhbat
- Mongolian Anti-Tuberculosis Association, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
| | | | | | - Madhukar Pai
- McGill International TB Centre, McGill University, Quebec, Canada
| | - Claudia C Dobler
- Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,South Western Sydney Clinical School, University of New South Wales, New South Wales, Australia
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