Workshop “Sharing experiences and practical lessons in scale-up, introduction and innovation of stool-based testing to diagnose TB, zooming in on Asia.”

On Tuesday 12 of November, during the Union World Conference on Lung Health 2024 we will facilitate the workshop “Sharing experiences and practical lessons in scale-up, introduction and innovation of stool-based testing to diagnose TB, zooming in on Asia.”

Simple stool-based diagnosis has shown to increase access for thousands more children at risk from tuberculosis (TB) and multidrug-resistant (MDR) TB to be tested.

The ‘stool test’ was developed by KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation (KNCV) and announced during the 49^th Union World Conference on Lung Health in 2018, and significant strides have been made through research and routine implementation by many countries since. With this in mind, an engaging workshop will be held at the Union Conference 2024 in Bali, Indonesia!

About the workshop

This session will dive into the experiences of different countries in implementing and scaling-up stool-based testing for TB diagnosis. During this workshop, we will explore the successes, challenges, and lessons learned from these pioneering efforts. Experts from different regions will share firsthand insights on how they have navigated the complexities of implementing stool-based diagnostics. From clinical diagnosis landscape, laboratory readiness to scaling-up health system integration, you will participate in stories driving innovation and impact.

Learn more and register for this unique opportunity to understand the practical aspects of introducing new diagnostic methods and to engage in discussions on how these experiences can be adapted and applied in diverse contexts. Whether you are involved in policy-making, public health, lab sciences, or clinical care, you will leave with actionable strategies and a deeper understanding of the stool-test method for TB diagnosis.

The agenda

Management Sciences for Health (MSH) and KNCV, together with National TB Programs and other partners present the workshop:

“Sharing experiences and practical lessons in scale-up,introduction and innovation of stool-based testing to diagnose TB, zooming in on Asia.”

The agenda includes updates related to pediatric TB diagnosis and stool-based TB testing since 2023’s workshop at the Union Conference in Paris. However, this year, our workshop will highlight progress in Asia, where five countries (Bangladesh, Indonesia, Vietnam, Philippines, India) will present on their experience of the implementation of stool-based testing. In addition it includes updates from two countries in Africa (Nigeria, Malawi) on the nationwide scale up.

Furthermore, an overview of clinical diagnosis will be presented and we included the latest information on the use of tongue swabs as a diagnostic tool for childhood TB, and the use of stool on TrueNat as well as tNGS. See more details below:

 

• Chaired by: Petra de Haas (KNCV) & Dr. Sayera Banu (icddr,b)
• Welcome words by: Charlotte Colvin (USAID) & Erik Post (MSH, USAID BEBAS-TB)

Workshop sessions:

1. Clinical diagnosis of pediatric TB in the era of stool-based diagnosis.

Presenters: L. V. Adams (Dartmouth’s Geisel School of Medicine) & C. Colvin (USAID)

2. Performance of molecular tests for stool-based TB testing: Experiences with use of True Nat, Xpert XDR cartridge, tNGS.

Moderator: A. U. Nyaruhirira (MSH)

Presenters: J. Kabugo (SNRL Uganda), J. Olabamiji (IHVN Nigeria), T. Ness & W. Khumalo (BCM Eswatini)

3. Use of tongue swabs for TB diagnosis in children: Are we close to routine implementation?

Presenter: D. Jaganath (UCSF)

4. Implementation of stool-based TB testing, zooming in on Asia -Country experiences.

Moderator: S. Meharwal (FHI360)

Presenters: Dr. S.M.M Rahman (Bangladesh), Dr. Nastiti (Indonesia), L. Coprada (Philippines), Dr. Hien (Vietnam), and Dr. Seva (ICMR, India)

5. Scale up of stool-based testing: Current status and experiences in SubSaharan Africa.

Moderator: E. Klinkenberg (ConnectTB)

Presenters: N. Nwokoye (KNCV Nigeria) & B. Shigut (NTP Malawi)

Panel Discussion

Key lessons learned and optimization of stool-based TB testing

Moderators: E. Post (MSH, USAID BEBAS-TB) & G. Dravniece (PATH Ukraine, STBCEU project)

When & where?

• Tuesday 12th November, 2024
• 10:30 – 13:30 CIT (Central Indonesian Time)
• Bali International Convention Center during the Union Conference 2024.

You can download a PDF version of this agenda HERE.

You can find us at the Union Program with the identifier WS04 and register here for this workshop: conf2024.theunion.org/registration

We look forward to seeing you at the conference!

Together we can end TB!