Tuberculosis Course Info

Mycobacterium tuberculosis: Diagnostic Principles and Procedures
April 24-27, 2018 ● Atlanta, GA
Sponsored by the National Laboratory Training Network in collaboration with the
National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Division of Tuberculosis Elimination, and
Laboratory Training Team, Division of Laboratory Systems, Center for Surveillance, Epidemiology, and Laboratory
Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

DESCRIPTION

LOCATION

This intermediate-level course will further educate participants
on diagnostic Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC)
principles and procedures. Lectures, hands-on laboratory
exercises, group discussions, and interactive sessions will be used
to increase knowledge. State-of-the-art diagnostic molecular and
growth-based methods for detection, isolation, identification (ID),
and drug susceptibility testing (DST) of MTBC will be discussed
and compared. Attendees will be provided with the tools
necessary to determine appropriate safety practices and testing
algorithms. Case studies will highlight interesting tuberculosis
case results including the importance of accurate result
interpretation, collaboration with TB Control Programs and other
laboratories, lessons learned, and problem-solving. Attendees are
expected to present case studies and to participate in group
discussions by describing testing algorithms/methods.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA

OBJECTIVES
At the conclusion of this program, the participant will be able to:
 Identify important risk assessment and biosafety practices
for the mycobacteriology laboratory.
 Compare and contrast test methods for growth-based DST,
ID, and molecular detection of MTBC.
 Describe mutations associated with drug resistance for MTBC
and common correlations between mutations and growthbased results.
 Perform and interpret real-time PCR for the detection of
MTBC.
 Discuss mycobacteriology case studies related to testing
algorithms and interpretation of results.
 Explain the importance of assessing local data and quality
performance measures for the mycobacteriology laboratory.
 Recognize accepted validation methods and regulatory
standards for mycobacteriology testing.
 Describe next generation sequencing and its potential use in
the mycobacteriology laboratory.

AUDIENCE
This course is intended for laboratorians with a minimum of one
year experience in a laboratory that identifies MTBC and
performs detection, isolation, ID, and DST with preference given
to laboratorians working in public health laboratories.

CONTINUING EDUCATION
The Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) is approved
as a provider of continuing education programs in the clinical
laboratory sciences by the ASCLS P.A.C.E.® Program. Participants
who successfully complete this program will be awarded 27
contact hours. This course has been approved for 27 contact
hours in the category (Microbiology/Mycology/Parasitology) for
Florida Laboratory Licensees. Course # 588-101-18

SECURITY CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS
NON-US CITIZENS – These courses will be held at the training
laboratory on the CDC Roybal campus. Due to CDC requirements
for security clearance, all non-US citizens will be asked to provide
information needed to obtain clearance. Detailed instructions will
be provided upon acceptance into the course. Please do not make
any nonrefundable travel plans until you have received
confirmation of acceptance into the course and security clearance
approval. The information you provide will only be used for the
purposes of attending this course.

APPLICATION & REGISTRATION
Application Deadline: November 30, 2017
 The preliminary application is to be completed online.
 Only completed applications received by the deadline will be
considered. Application does not guarantee acceptance. If you
are unable to complete the application online, email Marisa
Barley or phone +1 240.485.3843.
 Public health applicants must have approval from their state
or local laboratory director to apply. Students will be selected
according to the degree to which the applicant’s job
description, experience, and responsibilities are consistent
with the prerequisites. Priority will be given for one applicant
per public health laboratory, with a second person considered
on a space available basis.
 Notification of acceptance status will be sent via email after
December 11, 2017.
 Registration for this workshop is being offered at No Charge
to the participants! Registration and logistical details will be
provided upon acceptance into the course.
 Some states have lengthy travel approval processes so begin
as soon as possible. Do NOT make travel arrangements until
you are notified of acceptance into the course.
 Participants are responsible for lodging, meals, and travel
costs. A group lodging discount is being negotiated at the
current federal per diem rate of $148.00 (plus tax and fees)
per night. Details will be provided upon acceptance into the
workshop.
 Participants are required to bring a case study and testing
algorithm from their laboratory to the course to present to
course participants. More details to follow with application
acceptance.

QUESTIONS?
Please email Marisa Barley, APHL Customer Service.

The National Laboratory Training Network is a training system sponsored by the
Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
For a complete list of courses, visit www.nltn.org/courses.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis: Diagnostic Principles and Procedures ● April 24-27, 2018 ● Atlanta, GA
PRELIMINARY AGENDA
Day 1
8:00 a.m.
8:20
8:30
9:00
9:45
10:00

11:00

12:00 p.m.
1:00
2:00
3:00
3:15
4:00
4:30
Day 2
8:00 a.m.
8:30
9:30
9:45
11:00
11:30
1:00 p.m.
1:30
2:15
2:30
3:15
4:15
Day 3
8:00 a.m.
8:45
9:30
9:45
10:30

11:30
1:00 p.m.

2:00
2:45
3:00
3:20
4:30

Tuesday, April 24, 2018
Introduction and Course Overview
Safety Briefing
Tuberculosis Epidemiology in the United States
Risk Assessment
Break
Split Session A
Group 1: Laboratory: Safe Biosafety Cabinet Practices
Group 2: Lecture: Safety in the TB Laboratory & Pre-Test
Split Session B
Group 1: Lecture: Safety in the TB Laboratory & Pre-Test
Group 2: Laboratory: Safe Biosafety Cabinet Practices
Lunch (on your own)
Considerations for Specimen Processing and Isolation of
MTBC from Culture
Making the Pieces Fit: Combining Conventional and New
Mycobacteriology Methods Using a Systems Approach
Break
Method Validation and Regulatory Issues
Class Exercise: Case Studies
Adjourn
Wednesday, April 25, 2018
NAAT for Direct Detection of TB
Mycobacterial Identification
Break
Considerations for Growth-based Drug Susceptibility
Testing
Evaluation of MGIT Pyrazinamide Testing
Lunch (on your own)
Monitoring the Performance of Your Laboratory
False-Positive and False-Negative Results
Break
Assessing Local Data
Class Exercise: Case Studies
Adjourn
Thursday, April 26, 2018
Introduction to Molecular Biology
Detection of M. tuberculosis complex & M. avium
complex by real-time PCR
Break
Molecular Detection of Drug Resistance
Split Session A
Group 1: Laboratory: Use of real-time PCR Assay for
Detection of MTBC
Group 2: Group Exercise: Group Scenarios
Lunch (on your own)
Split Session B
Group 1: Group Exercise: Group Scenarios
Group 2: Laboratory: Use of real-time PCR Assay for
Detection of MTBC
Use of Whole Genome Sequencing in Molecular
Epidemiology
Break
Class Exercise: Case Studies
Group Exercise: Interpretation of real-time PCR Assay
Results & Algorithm Speed Dating
Adjourn

Day 4
8:00 a.m.
8:30
9:00
9:15
9:30
10:30
11:45
12:00 p.m.
12:15

Friday, April 27, 2018
Class Exercise: Case Studies
Post-Test
Break
Review Test Responses
Beyond the Laboratory Walls: Enhancing Your
Integrated System
Case Studies: Big Picture
Evaluation
Final Question and Answer
Adjourn

FACULTY
Division of Tuberculosis Elimination (DTBE), National Center for
HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention (NCHHSTP), CDC,
Atlanta, GA
Laboratory Branch, Reference Laboratory Team
 Beverly Metchock, DrPH, D(ABMM), Team Lead
 Jeff Driscoll, PhD, Sr. Service Fellow
 David Sikes, BS, MT(ASCP), Microbiologist
Laboratory Branch, Laboratory Capacity Team
 Stephanie Johnston, MS, Team Lead
 Cortney Stafford, MPH, MT(ASCP), Laboratory Consultant
 Mitchell Yakrus, MS, MPH, Microbiologist
 Monica Youngblood, MPH, M(ASCP), Laboratory Consultant
Laboratory Branch, Applied Research Team
 Glenn Morlock, MS, Microbiologist
 Melisa Willby, PhD, Microbiologist
Laboratory Branch, Systems Group
 Melinda Dunn, PhD, Safety Officer
Surveillance, Epidemiology, and Outbreak Investigations Branch
 Adam Langer, BS, DVM, MPH, Surveillance Team Lead
Field Services Branch
 Sapna Bamrah Morris, MD, MBA, Medical Officer
Office of Laboratory Safety, Office of the Associate Director for
Laboratory Science and Safety (OADLSS), CDC, Atlanta, GA
 Dwayne Lasky, Safety and Occupational Health Manager

INVITED FACULTY






Eileen M. Burd, PhD, D(ABMM), Director, Clinical Microbiology,
Emory University Hospital, Atlanta, GA
Jessica Gentry, BA, TB/Serology Laboratory Supervisor, Indiana
State Department of Health Laboratory
Tanya A. Halse, BS, Research Scientist, New York State
Department of Health, Wadsworth Center
Ryan Jepson, M(ASCP), Microbiology Supervisor, State Hygienic
Laboratory at the University of Iowa
Jan Owen, BS, TB Reference Team Lead, Texas Department of
State Health Services

SPECIAL NEEDS
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA),
individuals seeking special accommodations should submit their
request in writing at least three weeks prior to start date of the
workshop to Marisa Barley. For more information phone
+1 800.536.6586 or +1 240.485.3843.

This training was supported by Cooperative Agreement # 5NU60HM000803-03 funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Its contents are solely the responsibility
of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of CDC or the Department of Health and Human Services. This project was 100% funded with federal funds.