title: Role of tuberculosis laboratories in Saudi Arabia. A call to implement standardized procedures.
abstract: There is no doubt that the laboratory is the backbone for the diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB). Only through testing in the laboratory can the physician confirm suspicion of TB despite any previous clinical and x-ray findings. Recent visits to several laboratories in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia showed that some need considerable improvement. Unless there are standardized procedures to diagnose TB, and safety measures are implemented in all laboratories, it will be impossible to diagnose accurately and control TB. The laboratories should be redesigned to conform to international TB Diagnostic Centers, with well trained staff and proper safety procedures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Comparative Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. hajoj@kfshrc.edu.sa
authors.forename: Sahal A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Al-Hajoj
authors.forename: Fahad A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Alrabiah
mesh_terms: D001431:Bacteriological Techniques / Q000592:standards*; D019411:Clinical Laboratory Techniques / Q000592:standards*; D016172:DNA Fingerprinting / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D007755:Laboratories, Hospital / Q000592:standards; D007757:Laboratory Infection / Q000517:prevention & control; D011786:Quality Control; D012529:Saudi Arabia; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control