TB Specimen Bank
New diagnostic tests for TB suitable for low-income settings are urgently needed. Current methods of diagnosis (based on sputum smear microscopy) are both labor-intensive and insensitive.
An important obstacle to the development of new diagnostics tests for TB is the lack of access to reference materials. The TDR TB Specimen Bank addresses this need by providing an invaluable, growing resource of well-characterized clinical materials for use by academic and commercial test developers.
Formally launched by TDR in June 2000, the TDR TB Specimen Bank contains samples from symptomatic respiratory patients with and without TB, from different areas of the world. Aliquots of sputum, serum, saliva and urine are frozen on site, and maintained at a central distribution site at -70°C. Each sample is linked to detailed clinical and microbiological information (1). A final diagnosis is assigned according to a standardized classification scheme (2).
The specimen bank is intended to:
- stimulate commercial activity
- set high standards of quality for tools in development
- limit the need for field trials
- facilitate the approval process
- facilitate head to head comparison of new and existing diagnostic kits
If you are interested in ordering specimen, you will find detailed instructions and conditions in the information document (PDF).
You can also download the request form PDF or Word
For additional information please contact InfoSpecimen@who.int
References