Priorities for Tuberculosis Bacteriology Services in Low Income Countries

Abstract

This is the second edition of the "Red Book". It provides guidance to national tuberculosis programmes and the laboratory network on the role of TB laboratory services. It outlines the main responsibilities within the network and the technical and organisational aspects of microscopic sputum-smear examination and the surveillance of anti-tuberculosis drug resistance. The purpose of this monograph is to complement other texts on mycobacteriology and thus it is limited in its scope and emphasis. It does not attempt to cover the entire field of mycobacteriology, but rather focuses on the specific set of minimum required tasks at each level of the national laboratory network.