Diagnostic Performance of a Novel Lipoarabinomannan.

The Fujifilm SILVAMP TB LAM (FujiLAM; Fujifilm, Tokyo, Japan) is a novel (not commercialized) urine based point-of-care assay to diagnose TB in HIV-positive patients. A first study using urine frozen samples has reported a higher sensitivity of this test over the currently commercialised Alere Determine TB LAM Ag assay (AlereLAM).

The study aims to assess the performance of a new test called the Fujifilm SILVAMP TB LAM or simply the Fuji-LAM test. The Fuji-LAM test is a test that can be done on urine to look for specific proteins that are produced by the bacteria that causes tuberculosis. This test offers an advantage over the tests that are based on phlegm because most patients can produce urine for testing even when they are very sick. Additionally, this test does not require a complex laboratory set up and it can therefore be used by health workers as they interact with the patient. This study will also look at how the new test compares with an existing test AlereLAM - that is based on similar technology. Initial laboratory-based studies conducted on frozen urine samples show that the new test has better performance than the existing test. This study is different from the first studies because it is being conducted in real life settings rather than in a laboratory. The study will be conducted at the Homa Bay County Hospital in Kenya. Individuals living with HIV with and without signs and symptoms of TB will be invited to take part. Individuals who agree to participate will be seen by the health workers in the study and will provide samples for testing using the FujiLAM test and other standard tests used to investigate individuals for suspected tuberculosis. Investigators are also conducting similar studies in other African countries including Uganda, Mozambique and South Africa. This will enable investigators to assess the performance of the test in diverse settings.