Guide to the Application of Genotyping to Tuberculosis Prevention and Control
Developing a Tuberculosis Genotyping Program
Developing a Written Plan
TB Programs should develop a written plan to describe activities, responsibilities, and procedures for their TB genotyping programs. The New York City and the Maryland TB programs graciously agreed to share copies of their genotyping plans with other TB controllers. These plans are posted on the WebBoard at http://web-tb.forum.cdc.gov.
To help TB programs develop a plan, Table 5.1 lists important initial steps that should be considered. Which steps are required and which are recommended depend on the decision the TB program makes about the initial scope of their genotyping program. How to make the decision about the initial scope of the genotyping program and the steps in Table 5.1 are discussed in the next section of this chapter.
Table 5.1. Steps in establishing a state genotyping program plan.
| Universal: statewide | Universal: subregion | Selective | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Identify labs that might
submit isolates |
Required | Required | Recommended |
| 2. Notify submitting labs of
genotyping program and provide them with a copy of the TB
Genotyping Isolate Submission form |
Required | Required | Recommended |
| 3. Negotiate payment for shipping
isolates to genotyping laboratories |
Required | Required | Recommended |
| 4. Establish submission procedures:
batch shipments, frequency of shipments, avoiding duplicate
submissions |
Required | Required | Required |
| 5. Establish an isolate tracking
system |
Required | Required | Required |
| 6. Establish criteria for selecting
isolates to be submitted |
does not apply | does not apply | Recommended |
| 7. Establish procedures to
identify isolates selected for submission |
does not apply | does not apply | Required |
| 8. Assign responsibility to
the person who will receive Genotyping Laboratory Report |
Required | Required | Required |
| 9. Establish a genotyping data
management system |
Required | Required | Required |
| 10. Establish procedures for
evaluating genotyping results and other existing data to make
decisions about need for additional investigations, such as
cluster or outbreak investigations (see Figure 5.1) |
Required | Required | Required |
| 11. Establish criteria for
requesting RFLP |
Required | Required | Required |
| 12. Consider advocating for
a new state health regulation to submit one isolate/patient
to state public health laboratory |
Recommended | Recommended | Recommended |
| 13. Consider networking with
adjacent TB programs to encourage interjurisdictional exchange
of genotyping information |
Recommended | Recommended | Recommended |
| 14. Obtain CDC approval for
plan |
Required | Required | Required |
Contact Us:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Division of Tuberculosis Elimination (DTBE)
1600 Clifton Rd., NE
MS E10
Atlanta, GA 30333 - 800-CDC-INFO
(800-232-4636)
TTY: (888) 232-6348 - Contact CDC–INFO
