The Tropical Diseases Research Centre (TDRC) tuberculosis (TB) laboratory, which also serves as the regional TB reference lab for the northern region of Zambia is the main diagnostic site for drug resistant TB, a vital component in the management of the disease in infected patients. With support from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) TDRC has acquired equipment for next generation sequencing and bioinformatics analysis. With this equipment, TDRC and the country will be more capable and ready to monitor and diagnose drug resistant TB. This technology will substantially increase the number of drugs that can be monitored for resistance, which is envisioned to lead to better patient management and control of drug resistant TB in Zambia.
