At the end of this training, five laboratory technicians (including two from the Rodolphe Mérieux Laboratory) and a biologist were certified. All are able to safely manage, in a BSL3 laboratory, samples from patients with multi-resistant and ultra-resistant strains for microbiological diagnosis. This comprehensive diagnosis includes both phenotypic methods, such as culture and antimicrobial susceptibility, and genotypic methods. These methods allow a complete expertise to evaluate particularly the resistance to antituberculosis treatments.
This training allowed to strengthen the capacities of the laboratory personnel about the different stages of the procedures and the management of the facilities, in particular the MGIT liquid culture system. It has also enabled to set up a center of expertise for the diagnosis of tuberculosis.
Objective: support the Ministry of Health and become a regional excellence platform
Given the expertise that is being developed, the Rodolphe Mérieux Laboratory will be able to provide a significant support to the Lebanese Ministry of Health and to the National Tuberculosis Control Program, for the diagnosis and the management of sensitive or multidrug-resistant tuberculosis.
The Rodolphe Mérieux Laboratory will also become a regional excellence platform, with the capacity to handle research projects related to tuberculosis.
Find out more about the activities of the Mérieux Foundation in Lebanon