Practical and Laboratory Diagnosis of Tuberculosis ― From Sputum Smear to Molecular Biology

The present work focuses on the diagnosis of TB, covering all its possible ways. Content ranges from clinical diagnosis, which is the first instance in approaching tuberculosis, until the gold standard microbiological and molecular diagnostic tools, which are useful due to its speed and high sensitivity. Additionally, diagnosis of latent TB infection, which is key feature to controlling TB under a public health perspective, is also addressed. This book is intended to be a quick and useful reference for the diagnosis of TB, being of special use for clinicians, pulmonologists and microbiologists, but also to every professional, professors and students involved in research and practice on TB diagnosis. In addition, it is intended to be of interest to professionals all over the world, but especially in countries with high TB endemicity, where the proper diagnosis of TB is a topic of major importance.

Guadalupe Garcia-Elorriaga ‧ PhD in National School of Biological Sciences, National Institute Politecnico, Mexico City. ‧ Full-time Associate Researcher “B”. National Health Institute, Mexico. ‧ Sub-committee member of the Tuberculosis Clinic of Pediatrics, National Center of Epidemiological Surveillance and Disease Control, Department of Epidemiology, Mexico. ‧ Member of Research and Bioethics Committee of the Hospital of Infectious Diseases, CMNR. ‧ Member of the Academic Committee for the Validation of Specifications of Reactive Single Professional Certification Exam for Clinical Chemists (eUCP-QC). ‧ Member of Editorial Board of World Journal of Clinical Infectious Diseases, 2011-2015.

Guillermo del Rey Pineda ‧ M. Sc in National School of Biological Sciences, National Institute Politecnico, Mexico City. ‧ Research in Medical Sciences “C”. National Health Institute. , Mexico. ‧ Head of Virology Laboratory, Children's Hospital of Mexico "Federico Gomez", 1997 to 2005; Head of Laboratory Immunology, National Institute of Perinatology, 1986 to 1997. ‧ Member of the Local Research Committee, Central Blood Bank, CMNR IMSS, 1993-2006. ‧ Scientific Advisor, Central Blood Bank, CMNR IMSS, 1993. ‧ Recognition of scientific productivity, IMSS, 1997.