Stool4TB Researchers co-chair UNION Conference session

Sabine Hermans and Elisa Lopez-Varela of Stool4TB are joining forces to chair a session for the UNION Conference entitled Stool-based diagnostics: a game-changing tool for hard-to-diagnose populations?

Diagnosis of tuberculosis is more difficult in certain populations, mainly those with sputum paucibacillary disease such as children and people living with HIV. In order to equalize the case detection gap it is important to identify approaches that provide equitable access to diagnosis. Stool-based diagnostics have gained more attention over the last few years and offer promising solutions in these populations. The objective of this symposium is to provide the audience with a summary of the opportunities, challenges and limitations offered by stool-based TB diagnostics, and to give an overview of the recent advances in this field.

The first presenter is Morten Ruhwald (FIND, Switzerland), who will offer an introduction on the need for and opportunities presented by stool-based diagnostics in certain populations. He will also summarize the data on the basis of which WHO recently recommended stool to be used as a sample for molecular diagnosis. The next speaker, Petra de Haas, supported by Eveline Klinkenberg (both KNCV, the Netherlands), will discuss the Global Laboratory Initiative and explain the various stool processing methods in use. She will also share the first data on implementation of stool-based diagnosis in Vietnam, Zambia and the DRC. The third presentation will be given by Maryline Bonnet (Montpellier, France) who will provide the results from the TB-Speed study on using stool samples for TB diagnosis among vulnerable children, and of a study comparing the three stool-processing methods. Next, Stool4TB’s Alexander Kay will present preliminary findings for a study showcasing a novel stool DNA isolation technique that can diagnose TB drug-resistance. Finally, Christoph Lange will give an overview of other non-sputum based TB diagnostics and where we are headed. This will be followed by an interactive Q&A session.

Join the conference on 08 November at 12:30CET.