To understand Line Probe Assay (LPA), we need to understand key elements of Molecular Biology.

Molecular Biology is the study of living systems at the molecular level, especially DNA, RNA and proteins.

Cell

The cell is the fundamental unit of life and is the building block of all organisms. It has three main components:

• Cell membrane
• Nucleus
• Cytoplasm

Types of Cells

Compliance to equipment installation criteria is necessary to/for:

• Establish accurate and reliable results as claimed by the manufacturer
• To assure standard/specific requirements are met
• Provide proof that the process will consistently produce predetermined outcome
• Equipment safety
• Improve overall performance of the equipment
• Decrease work interruptions due to equipment failure
• Lower repair costs
• Cover equipment warranty and free maintenance 

Instrument Qualification Documents include:

GeneXpert MTB/RIF assay targets rpoB gene that encodes for RNA polymerase β subunit.

Operational conditions, including the safety of the laboratory and personnel, adequate laboratory supplies are important in sputum smear microscopy.

The manpower should be adequately trained to perform sputum smear microscopy.

The designated microscopy centre (DMC) should have quality aspects in place, follow internal quality control measures and should be covered under external quality assurance (EQA) under NTEP.

To avoid common issues, it is important to ensure the following:

Operational aspects:

Under the National Tuberculosis Elimination Program (NTEP) network, the most peripheral laboratories are the Designated Microscopy Centres (DMC) which serve a population of around 100,000 each (50,000 population norm in tribal and hilly areas). 

The basic requirements for microscopy centres include (Figure):