Centre for Tuberculosis Research

CENTER FOR TUBERCULOSIS RESEARCH

PROFILE

The Center for Tuberculosis Research (CTBR) is a unique collaborative Research Center in the Department of Microbiology of the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research. The first National Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory in Nigeria is domiciled within this Center.

CTBR contributes to the national tuberculosis (TB) elimination programme through research, service, and training. At the Center, we conduct a range of multi-disciplinary research and training in collaboration with universities, public and private sector organizations within the sub region and internationally. Current research focus is on TB epidemiology, drug resistance, evaluation of novel diagnostics and laboratory management of multi drug resistance tuberculosis (MDRTB). Our research is supported by the Nigerian Government (National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme), implementing partners (Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria and FHI 360) and International organizations (West African Node of Excellence for TB, AIDS and Malaria [WANETAM] and Tuberculosis Supra Reference Laboratory, Milan, Italy). We also access grants for our research activities.

In addition, CTBR is equipped with biosafety level 2 and 3 laboratories and a molecular diagnostic suite. The Center offers programmatic diagnosis of pulmonary and extra-pulmonary TB using both conventional and molecular methodologies under quality management system and good laboratory and clinical practices. The Center also utilizes its facilities for training of research scientists, students and other organizations involved in TB elimination. In November 2019, CTBR obtained ISO 15189 accreditation by South Africa National Accreditation System in TB Microscopy, PCR TB Identification and Drug Susceptibility Tests (GeneXpert and Hain).

Research Team:

CTBR has sixteen scientific staff members comprising of four research scientists, five laboratory scientists, three laboratory technologists, one scientific officer and three adhoc scientists that carry out research activities in the Center. The Center has two research groups aimed to improve research output from the Centre namely:

Tuberculosis Diagnosis and Epidemiology Research Group headed by Kunle-Ope C.N, is focused on the following research activities:

TB Diagnosis
- Characterizing, tracking trends and profile of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Complex (MTBC) including Mycobacterium bovis and Non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM).
TB Epidemiology
- Molecular epidemiology of TB
- Genetic diversity of TB
Research on diagnostic and monitoring tools
- Method verification and comparison of diagnostic laboratory methods
- Evaluation of novel diagnostics

Tuberculosis Drug Resistance and Pharmocogenomics Research Group, headed by Dr Davis-Bolourunduro O.F, is involved with the following research activities:

Drug resistance of mycobacteria
Antimycobacterial natural products
Pharmocogenomics

Completed Research Activities in year 2020 at the CTBR

Research on mutation analyses of MDR-TB strains in collaboration with Public Health and Epidemiology Department, NIMR
Diagnosis of TB using Line Probe Assay (LPA) and phenotypic method in collaboration with Medical Microbiology and Parasitology Department, LUTH

Ongoing Research Activities in CTBR

MDR-TB Surveillance in collaboration with National TB and Leprosy Control Programme and Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria
Molecular Epidemiology of TB
WANETAM consortium of diagnosis of TB and management of children funded by EDCTP
Whole genome sequencing for investigation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex strain, diversity & MDR-TB resistance prediction in Nigeria, in collaboration with Redeemer University, Ede, Osun State
Smart detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis using artificial intelligence & microscopy, in collaboration with Redeemer University, Osun State
Bioprospecting for Antituberculous Potentials of Culturable Marine Actinomycetes from Lagos Lagoon Sediments
Genomic Information Surveillance on Drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis Isolates from Nigeria/TB-Portal, in collaboration with our adjunct, Professor Cadmus and NHIS)
Evaluation of GeneXpert MTB/RIF for Detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Resistance to Rifampicin among Presumptive TB Cases in Lagos State
Non-Tuberculous Mycobacteria Infections among Cases of Bronchopulmonary Disorder in Lagos State

Our TEAM

NAME DESIGNATION

Mrs. C. N. Kunle – Ope Research Fellow 11/Head
Dr. N. N. Onyejepu Senior Research Fellow
Dr.(Mrs.) O.F. Davies-Bolorunduro Research Fellow I
Mrs. I. T. Ndubuisi Research Fellow II

MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENTIST

Mrs. M. A. A. Adetunji Chief Medical Laboratory Scientist
Mrs. N. E. Tochukwu Asst. Chief Medical Laboratory Scientist
Mr. A. A. Adesesan Asst. Chief Medical Laboratory Scientist
Rev. Sr. C. O. Ejezie Asst. Chief Medical Laboratory Scientist
Mr. Sunday Ogamde Senior Medical Laboratory Scientist

SCIENCE LABORATORY SCIENTIST

Mrs. I.O Edu-muyideen Chief Science Laboratory Technologist
Mrs. A. T. Abiodun Science Laboratory Technologist 1

SCIENTIFIC OFFICER

Miss B.O. Amuda Scientific Officer II

MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNICIAN

Mr. I.I. Garba Medical Laboratory Technician

ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF

Mr. O. O. Shopitan Chief Clerical Officer
Mrs. L. Allen Clerical Officer I

ADHOC STAFF

Mr. K. Atoe Medical Laboratory Scientist/Senior Programme Officer (IHVN )

PROJECT STAFF

Mrs. C. Okorie Medical Laboratory Scientist/IHVN HR Staff
Mr. S. Audu Data Officer
Miss L.H. Ibrahim Data Officer
Mr. O. Kokson Biologist/FHI 360 Volunteer Staff

SUPPORT STAFF

Mrs. J. Elijah Cleaner
Mrs. R.O. Ogunfowoke Cleaner

ADJUNCT RESEARCH PROFESSOR

Prof. S. I. Cadmus University of Ibadan

PRICE LIST FOR TB TEST

S/N	TEST	PRICE (₦)
DIAGNOSIS USING CONVENTIONAL METHODS
1	Sputum Smear Microscopy using Ziehl Nelsen (ZN) Stain	5,000.00
2	Sputum Smear Microscopy using Fluorescence (FM) Stain	5,000.00
3	Sputum Smear Microscopy and Culture on Solid Media (Lowenstein Jensen)	10,000.00
4	Sputum Smear Microscopy and Culture on Liquid Media (MGIT BACTEC 960 TB System) Only	30,000.00
5	Sputum Smear Microscopy, Culture and Drug Susceptibility Testing (DST) on Solid Media (Lowenstein Jensen) for First Line Drugs using Proportion Method	25,000.00
6	Sputum Smear Microscopy, Culture and Drug Susceptibility Testing (DST) on Solid Media (Lowenstein Jensen) for First and Second Line Drugs using Proportion Method	30,000.00
7	Sputum Smear Microscopy, Culture and Drug Susceptibility Testing (DST) in Liquid Media (MGIT BACTEC 960 TB System) for First Line Drugs Only	40,000.00
8	Sputum Smear Microscopy, Culture and Drug Susceptibility Testing (DST) in liquid media (MGIT BACTEC 960 TB System) for First and Second Line Drugs	50,000.00
DIAGNOSIS USING MOLECULAR METHODS
9	Diagnosis of TB and Detection of resistance to Rifampicin from Sputum/Stool Samples using GeneXpert	10,000.00
10	Diagnosis of TB and Detection of resistance to First Line Anti-TB Drugs (Rifampicin and Isoniazid) using Hain GenoType MTBDRplus (Line Probe Assay) Only	30,000.00
11	Diagnosis of TB and Detection of resistance First Line (Rifampicin and Isoniazid) and Second Line (Fluoroquinolones and Aminoglycosides) Anti-TB Drugs using Hain GenoType MTBDRplus (Line Probe Assay)	60,000.00
12	Species identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and other mycobacteria other than Mycobacterium tuberculosis using Hain GenoType CM/AS (Line Probe Assay)	30,000.00