Integrated Use of the GeneXpert Platform for TB, HIV and EVD testing in Liberia

Abstract

Background: The capacity for molecular testing of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Viral load, Tuberculosis (TB) and epidemic prone disease was very limited in Liberia prior to the Ebola Virus Diseases (EVD) outbreak. The use of point of care and near point of care machines for multiple disease testing of HIV, TB and EVD was adopted as a solution to these challenges. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the integrated use of the GeneXpert for the three diseases testing. Methods: A previously collected and reported GeneXpert testing data was used to evaluate the integrated use of GeneXpert platform for TB, HIV viral load and EVD testing. All the laboratory GeneXpert secondary data available since the machines were installed and started testing were analyzed. Besides; Field observation report on the operation, coordination and impact of the integrated testing was included. Results: The integrated testing of HIV Viral load, Mycobacterium Tuberculosis/Rifampicin (MTB/RIF) and EVD using the GeneXpert platform has played a significant role in Liberia. A total of 706 HIV viral load, 3695 MTB/RIF and 2309 EVD GeneXpert tests were conducted since the start of the integrated testing. Conclusion: The integrated use of the GeneXpert platform for TB, HIV and EVD is very crucial as it helped in enhancing the services and coordinating resources in a sustainable way. Lessons learnt from this integration will help to effectively scale up the integrated testing.