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.

The CTBR contributes to the WHO End TB Strategy programme through research, service and training. CTBR conducts a range of multi-disciplinary research and training by dedicated scientists and support staff in collaboration with universities, public and private sector organizations within the sub region and internationally.

Research

Current research focus is on tuberculosis (TB) epidemiology, drug resistance, evaluation of novel diagnostics and laboratory management of MDRTB patients. Current research is supported by the Nigerian Government (Nigerian Institute of Medical Research and International organization (West African Node of Excellence for TB, AIDS and Malaria [WANETAM]. We also access grants for our research activities.

Research Team:

CTBR has sixteen Research Staff 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 also has on its research team, an adjunct professor of research in the person of Prof Simon Cadmus of the University of Ibadan.

S/N NAME DESIGNATION

RESEARCH FELLOW

1. Mrs. C. N. Kunle – Ope Research Fellow II/Head

2. Dr. N. N. Onyejepu Senior Research Fellow

3. Dr.(Mrs.) O.F. Davies-Bolorunduro Research Fellow I

4. Mrs. I. T. Ndubuisi Research Fellow II

MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENTIST

5. Mrs. M. A. A. Adetunji Chief Medical Laboratory Scientist

6. Mrs. N. E. Tochukwu Chief Medical Laboratory Scientist

7. Mr. A. A. Adesesan Chief Medical Laboratory Scientist

8. Rev. Sr. C. O. Ejezie Asst. Chief Medical Laboratory Scientist

9. Mr. Samuel Nduaga Chief Medical Laboratory Scientist

SCIENCE LABORATORY SCIENTIST

10. Mrs. I.O Edu-muyideen Chief Science Laboratory Technologist

11. Mrs. A. T. Abiodun Science Laboratory Technologist 1

SCIENTIFIC OFFICER

12. Mrs. B.O. Acholo Scientific Officer II

13. Mr. G. R. Lawal Scientific Officer II

ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF

16. Mr. D. Airekhome Administrative Officer

17. Mrs. C. J. Alaribe Clerical Officer I

18. Mrs. L. Allen Clerical Officer I

ADHOC STAFF

19. Mr. K. Atoe Senior Programme Officer (IHVN )

PROJECT STAFF

20. Mrs. C. Okorie Medical Laboratory Scientist

21. Mr. S. Audu Data Officer

22. Ms. H. L. Ibrahim Data Officer

SUPPORT STAFF

23. Mrs. J. Elijah Cleaner

In 2019, CTBR created two research groups to improve research output from the Division namely:

Mrs. Kunle-Ope C.N.

(Contact: chiomakunleope@gmail.com; cnkunle-ope@nimr.gov.ng) – Heads the TB Diagnostic & Epidemiology Research that conduct research into:

Sentinel surveillance of TB
- 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

Dr Davis-Bolourunduro O.F. (Contact: bizdave1@gmail.com; of.davies-bolorunduro@nimr.gov.ng) – Heads the TB Drug Resistance and Pharmocogenomics Research Group that conduct research into:

Drug resistance of mycobacteria
Antimycobacterial natural products
Pharmocogenomics

Research Achievement

Diagnosis of TB and Management of Paediatric TB (EDCTP-WANETAM Grant)
Bioprospecting for Antituberculous Potentials of Culturable Marine Actinomycetes from Lagos Lagoon Sediments
Molecular Epidemiology of TB
Study on the Evaluation of Respiratory Tract Bacterial Co-infections with COVID-19 Severity in Lagos, Nigeria

Ongoing Research

Desk Review with Whole Genome Sequencing of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis
Correlation of Clinical Outcomes of Patients on Anti Tuberculosis Regimen
Exploration of Marine Bacterial Community Genomics in Nigeria Coastal Waters for Prospective Novel Drugs and Bio-pharmaceutics (In Collaboration with Microbiology Department, University of Lagos)
Sequencing of Drug Resistant TB (REST HUB) Project – CTBR (In collaboration with IHVN
Whole Genome Sequencing for Investigating Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Transmission, Genetic Diversity and Multi-Drug Resistance Prediction in Lagos, Nigeria – CTBR (In Collaboration with Redeemer University)
Genomic Information Surveillance on Drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis Isolates from Nigeria/TB-Portal – CTBR (In Collaboration with Adjunct Professor)
Transposing multidrug-resistant M. tuberculosis molecular and genomic epidemiology to Public Health and Product Development in Nigeria (In Collaboration with University of Lisbon, Portugal)
Susceptibility Testing of Delamanid and Bedaquinine using BACTEC MGIT 960 – CTBR (In collaboration with IHVN)
Smart Detection of MTB Using Artificial Intelligence & Microscopy (In Collaboration with Redeemer University)

Grant Awards

WANETAM-3 Grant – Dr. Onyejepu N.

Laboratory services: National Tuberculosis reference Laboratory

The Center offers diagnostic services for pulmonary and extra-pulmonary TB using both conventional and molecular methodologies under quality management system, good clinical and laboratory practice (GCLP). The CTBR is equipped with biosafety level 2 and 3 laboratories and a molecular diagnostic suite. We also prepare quality panels for public and private laboratories on TB microscopy and GeneXpert. Our service is supported by the Nigerian Government (National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme), implementing partners (Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria) and Tuberculosis Supra Reference Laboratory, Milan, Italy, Tuberculosis Supra Reference Laboratory, Antwerp, Belgium and Tuberculosis Supra Reference Laboratory, Cotonou, Benin.

In November 2019, CTBR obtained international accreditation; ISO15189 by South Africa National System (SANAS) on TB Microscopy and PCR-TB Identification and Drug Susceptibility Tests (GeneXpert and Hain). In January 2022, the Centre was recommended for further accreditation of TB Culture and Drug Susceptibility Testing Services by SANAS.

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
13	Quality Panel Preparation for AFB Microscopy & GeneXpert	Subject to negotiation

Data Purchase

Data purchase will depend on the number of data units and length (months or years) of the data duration needed. The Data can be collected from a minimum period of 6 months to a maximum of 5 years.

All associated demographic data (Sex, Age, etc.) will not be charged.

NB: Cost of a data request will be based on the sample size multiplied by the unit price with 10% concession for data more than 1 year.

S/N	DATA	UNIT PRICE	BULK PRICE (6 MONTH – 5YRS)
1.	Data on GeneXpert	N500	Sample Size x Unit Price
	Data on AFB Microscopy	N 100	Sample Size x Unit Price
3.	Data on First-line LPA Second line LPA Both first and second-line LPA	N1000 N2000 N2000	Sample Size x Unit Price Sample Size x Unit Price Sample Size x Unit Price.
4.	Data on Culture & DST First-line drugs Second-line drugs Both first and second-line drugs	N1000 N2000 N2000	Sample Size x Unit Price Sample Size x Unit Price Sample Size x Unit Price

Biorespository

The Center has characterized mycobacterial collections in her bio-repository.

Training

The Center utilizes its facilities for training of research scientists, and other organizations involved in MTBC and other mycobacteria projects. We provide training on the following:

Diagnosis, Treatment and Conduct of Research on MDR-TB
Advanced Tuberculosis Research for Health Professionals and Post Graduate Students
Establishing and Maitaining Quality Assured Services for Public and Private Health Practitioners

We also provide bench training for students on Internship and Industrial Training

AFB Microscopy using light and fluorescence microscope
GeneXpert
Line Probe Assay (LPA)
Culture & Drug Susceptibility Testing (DST) using solid (Loweinstein Jenseen media) and liquid (BACTEC MGIT 960 System)
MIRU-VNTR Typing

Phone Number: +234 909 384 5605, +234 809 700 9975

E-mail: ctbr.micro@nimr.gov.ng