June 2021 LabCoP Extended Echo Session: Implementation of the Lateral-Flow Urine Lipoarbinomannan Assay


July 4, 2021

On 30 June 2021 this Extended ECHO session was convened to discuss the implementation of the Lateral-Flow Urine Lipoarabinomannan (LF-LAM) assay for the detection of active tuberculosis (TB) in people living with HIV.  The session provided an overview of current World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendations, practical considerations to increase uptake, LF-LAM inclusion within the package of interventions to manage advanced HIV disease, and the landscape of future LAM assays. The highly interactive session was moderated by Kathleen England, a member of Global Laboratory Initiative (GLI), and Elisa Tagliani, the GLI Chair. Presentations were made by Martina Casenghi of the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, who introduced the GLI guide for the practical implementation of LF-LAM; Nathan Ford, Global HIV, Hepatitis and STI Department at the WHO, who covered the progress on implementation of the AHD package; and Morten Ruhwald from the Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND), who presented about the landscape of upcoming LAM assays. The session provides great guidance to TB and HIV programs in effective use of the current and future LAM assays. Please follow the links to view the recorded session and download the presentation slides.