What does CDC do to ensure laboratory quality control for drug susceptibility testing?
• The CDC drug susceptibility testing is performed using standard techniques with quality control and data review before results are released. • CDC uses a standardized inoculum with quality control testing to confirm that the correct drugs and drug concentrations are used. • Quality control testing is also performed on the culture media used to grow the TB bacteria to ensure consistency. • The CDC laboratory performs M. tuberculosis drug susceptibility testing as described by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI; formerly National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards). Testing is performed and results are reported in compliance with Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) regulations.
