title: Enhanced laboratory capacity development: a boost for effective tuberculosis control in resource-limited settings.
abstract: Both routine and research tuberculosis (TB) laboratory capacity urgently need to be expanded in large parts of Sub-Saharan Africa. In 2009, the Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné (CERMEL) took a strategic decision to expand its activities by building TB laboratory capacity to address research questions and to improve routine diagnostic and treatment capacity. Over the past 7 years, a standard laboratory has been developed that is contributing significantly to TB diagnosis, treatment, and control in Gabon; training has also been provided for TB research staff in Central Africa. CERMEL has a cordial relationship with the Gabon National TB Control Programme (PNLT), which has culminated in a successful Global Fund joint application. This endeavour is considered a model for similar developments needed in areas of high TB prevalence and where TB control remains poor to date.
authors.affiliation: Centre des Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné (CERMEL), PB 118, Lambaréné, Gabon; Eberhard Karls Universität, Institut für Tropenmedizin, Tübingen, Germany. Electronic address: aalabi02@yahoo.co.uk.
authors.forename: Abraham Sunday
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Alabi
authors.affiliation: Centre des Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné (CERMEL), PB 118, Lambaréné, Gabon; Microbiology Department, University of Venda, Thohoyandou, South Africa.
authors.forename: Afsatou Ndama
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Traoré
authors.affiliation: Centre des Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné (CERMEL), PB 118, Lambaréné, Gabon; Eberhard Karls Universität, Institut für Tropenmedizin, Tübingen, Germany; Departement de Bacteriologie Virologie, Faculte de medicine, Universite des Sciences de la Sante, Libreville, Gabon.
authors.forename: Marguerite Massinga
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Loembe
authors.affiliation: Centre des Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné (CERMEL), PB 118, Lambaréné, Gabon; Eberhard Karls Universität, Institut für Tropenmedizin, Tübingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Ulysse
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Ateba-Ngoa
authors.affiliation: Eberhard Karls Universität, Institut für Tropenmedizin, Tübingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Frank
authors.affiliation: Centre des Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné (CERMEL), PB 118, Lambaréné, Gabon; Eberhard Karls Universität, Institut für Tropenmedizin, Tübingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Ayola Akim
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Adegnika
authors.affiliation: Centre des Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné (CERMEL), PB 118, Lambaréné, Gabon; Eberhard Karls Universität, Institut für Tropenmedizin, Tübingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Bertrand
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lell
authors.affiliation: Programme National de Lutte Contre la Tuberculose (PNLT), Ministry of Health, Libreville, Gabon.
authors.forename: Jocelyn
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mahoumbou
authors.affiliation: Eberhard Karls Universität, Institut für Tropenmedizin, Tübingen, Germany; German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Carsten
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Köhler
authors.affiliation: Centre des Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné (CERMEL), PB 118, Lambaréné, Gabon; Eberhard Karls Universität, Institut für Tropenmedizin, Tübingen, Germany; German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Peter Gottfried
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Kremsner
authors.affiliation: Centre des Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné (CERMEL), PB 118, Lambaréné, Gabon; Eberhard Karls Universität, Institut für Tropenmedizin, Tübingen, Germany; German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany; Centre of Tropical Medicine and Travel Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Amsterdam Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Martin Peter
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Grobusch
mesh_terms: D017954:Africa South of the Sahara / Q000453:epidemiology; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D057191:Capacity Building; D006295:Health Resources; D006801:Humans; D007753:Laboratories / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D013677:Medical Laboratory Science / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D011634:Public Health; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D000995:Antitubercular Agents
keywords: CERMEL; Gabon; Laboratory capacity building; Research; South–North collaboration; Tuberculosis