1. Provide an overview of the LPA Test- A rapid molecular test available at centralized laboratories using a combination of PCR, Gel Electrophoresis technologies. Primarily used for the diagnosis of DRTB. 
2. Discuss the important advantages and disadvantages of the platform.
   1. Rapid test 
   2. Multiple tests at a time-Larger throughput
   3. lower sensitivity requiring culture
   4. Many genetic probes tested simultaneously
3. Provide a brief overview(pictures) of the LPA laboratory and processing. 

The tests are performed using Trueprep AUTO Sample Pre-treatment and Prep kits and Truenat micro-PCR chips.

To detect M. tuberculosis, the Truenat MTB chip amplifies a portion of the ribonucleoside-diphosphate reductase gene, nrdB with a Limit of Detection (LOD) of about 100 Colony Forming Units (CFU)/ml sputum sample.

DNA extraction and detection of M. tuberculosis takes approximately one hour.

Microscopy is a TB diagnostic technology that utilizes the acid-fastness property of Mycobacterium tuberculosis to visualize it under a microscope. Results of sputum smear microscopy can either be smear-negative, or smear-positive (with various grades). 

Advantages:

• It is currently the most accessible and cheapest TB diagnostic test available under National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) in India.
• It has the shortest turnaround time for diagnosis.
• It has high specificity. 

Limitations:

Screening technology in NTEP: 

Nikshay is an Integrated ICT system for TB patient management and care in India. Nikshay was launched in 2012 and since then, various improvements have been made in the system.

Nikshay provides-

National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) strives for all presumptive TB patients to be microbiologically confirmed. Under NTEP, the acceptable methods for microbiological diagnosis of TB are: 

Understand the various tests available for TB diagnosis along with their accessibility. 

Provide an overview of the process that results in a TB case diagnosis.

1. Screening population for signs and symptoms for TB
2. TB Diagnostic Testing for pulmonary and extra-pulmonary TB
3. Clinical diagnosis of TB
4. Diagnosis of Drug resistance
5. Referral for diagnosis and sample transportation

Screening for active tuberculosis (TB) a process to filter out people who are less likely to have TB, from a group. Screened positive people are likely to have TB and are confirmed subsequently using a TB diagnostic test. This will allow finite diagnostic testing resources to be used on the remaining.