The role of the laboratorian and clinician in the diagnosis and management of tuberculosis in the US and developing countries

The role of the laboratorian and clinician in the diagnosis and management of tuberculosis in the US and developing countries

Global summit on TUBERCULOSIS AND LUNG DISEASE
September 20-21, 2017 | Philadelphia, USA

Joan-Miquel Balada , Shu-Hua Wang

Ohio State University, USA

Scientific Tracks Abstracts : Int J Respir Med

Abstract:

Early diagnosis and treatment initiation of tuberculosis (TB) is critical for patient survival, and infection control. The session will cover patient management, clinical epidemiology of TB, current laboratory tests used for TB diagnosis, and the barriers of implementing rapid testing in resource-limited areas through clinical research trials experience. Co-infection with HIV and the rise of multi-drug resistant TB (MDR-TB) are two major issues for tuberculosis management. Consequently, rapid diagnostic testing is essential to identify infected individuals to initiate therapeutic regimens. While novel, rapid methods may be available in developed countries, there are barriers for implementation in resource-limited settings. Management strategies between the United States and developing countries, by highlighting experiences in laboratory-focused clinical trials in developing countries, where low cost tests using urine are being assessed, will be also discussed. This session will provide an opportunity to learn more about current and leading-edge technologies available for TB testing both here and abroad, and patient management.

Biography:

Joan-Miquel Balada is the Director of Immunology and Associate Director of the Clinical Microbiology at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and an Associate Professor of Pathology at the Ohio State University. He also directs the Mycobacteriology Laboratory. His major research and clinical interest focus on the implementation of rapid laboratory tests for the diagnosis of infectious diseases and its resistance pattern with special interest of low cost tests for use in areas of limited resources. He is working on antimicrobial resistance and tuberculosis global health initiatives in Central America, Ethiopia and India.

Dr Wang is an Associate Professor of Internal Medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases at Ohio state University. She is the Medical Director of the Ben Franklin Tuberculosis Control Program, which reports and investigates all tuberculosis cases for Franklin County, Ohio. Currently, she is also the Ohio Department of Health State Medical TB Consultant as well as Medical TB Consultant for the CDC Regional Training and Medical Consultation Center. Dr Wang’s clinical interest is in tuberculosis and tropical medicine. Her major research interest has been molecular epidemiology and diagnosis of tuberculosis. She also has overseas experience with TB in China and Guatemala. She is a member of the Infectious Diseases Society of America.

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