Laboratory Services
Overview
The UZ-CTRC provides comprehensive laboratory services, encompassing a wide range of specialties to support research and clinical activities. These services reinforce our commitment to advancing healthcare through rigorous scientific investigation and diagnostic excellence.
Specimen Management
- We offer state-of-the-art specimen management services, ensuring integrity, tracking, and storage of biological samples collected for health research .
Our Specimen Management Department is responsible for:
- Receiving and processing of blood, urine, vaginal & endocervical swabs, gram smears, dry blood spots (DBS), hair, cervicovaginal fluid and other sample matrices for local safety testing and shipping to external labs for specialized testing where local capacity is not yet in place.
- Processing and storage of viable and non-viable Peripheral Blood Mononuclear cells (PBMCs) for future analysis including cellular function assays, drug metabolism assays and pharmacogenetic studies.
Robust Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) in use are:
- DisaLab Laboratory Information System (LIS)
- Frontier Science Laboratory Data Management System (LDMS)
- Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap).
Hematology and Flow Cytometry
Our laboratory provides hematology and flow cytometry services, enabling detailed analysis of blood cells and immune cell populations.
We offer the following tests:
- Full Blood Count (FBC) & Differential,
- Reticulocyte testing,
- Routine B (CD19) & T (CD3/8/45/4) cell profiling and
- Mucosal Immune cell assessments
- The Central Laboratory has increased the range of Flow Cytometry test assays for quantification of immune cells in blood and HIV- tropic cell receptors in the lower female genital tract to assess risk of HIV infection. The process involves the isolation of vaginal immune cells from cervical cytobrush and the quantification of surface markers by multi-parameter Flow Cytometry.
Clinical biochemistry
we perform clinical biochemistry analyses, including the measurement of blood chemistry parameters such as glucose, cholesterol, electrolytes, liver enzymes, cardiac enzymes and renal function markers to support patient care and research investigations.
Serology and Immunology
Our laboratory conducts serological and immunological assays to detect antibodies, antigens, and immune system markers, contributing to the understanding of infectious diseases, autoimmune disorders, and immunological responses.
We offer the following assays
- HIV Serology,
- Syphillis Serology,
- Hepatitis Serology &
- QuantiFERON (IGRA)
Molecular Diagnostics
We offer molecular diagnostic services , including nucleic acid amplification tests.
We offer the following tests:
- DNA extraction,
- HIV RNA PCR,
- HIV DNA PCR,
- SARS COV 2 PCR,
- Chlamydia Trachomatis/Neisseria Gonorrhoea Xpert
- Trichomonas Vaginalis Gene Xpert
- Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Testing: The UZ-CTRC can do both screening and HPV genotyping for both low and high risk types.
We house the COBAS 5800, Atila Biosystems & GeneXpert® machines for HPV testing. Acceptable specimen types for the Atila include samples stored in thin-Prep and Atila Sample Storage Solution, Formalin fixed Paraffin Embedded samples, Purified HPV DNA and Dry swabs. The RT-PCR Gene Xpert® systems samples should be collected in PreserveCyt Solution.
Mycobacteriology and culture
We provide testing services for the detection of tuberculosis mycobacterium
The UZ-CTRC Biosafety Level 3 (BSL3) TB Laboratory, has the capacity to perform:
- sputum smear microscopy,
- sputum solid and liquid culture
- Molecular techniques including GeneXpert MTB/RIF to diagnose and detect drug-resistant TB in one test.
- The TB Lab is also equipped to support local and international clinical trials for diagnosis and treatment of TB, new TB drug development, including pharmacokinetic studies, and to support research on multi-drug resistant (MDR) and extensively drug resistant (XDR) TB
Cytology & Histology
Our laboratory expertise extends to cytological examinations, enabling the microscopic evaluation of cells.
The cytology laboratory is equipped to support processing of more than 20 PAP smears per day. Additionally, specialized histology laboratory is currently equipped, with a tissue processor and wax embedding center. We collaborate with a team of Histopathologists, that has vast experience. They offer a diagnostic and consultative service on tissue samples including biopsies and resection specimens.
Specialized Services
We have a state-of-the-art temperature-monitored Biorepository that contains:
- liquid nitrogen storage facilities capable of storing 50 000 samples,
- -80°C freezers that hold over 700 000 samples, and
- -20°C freezers with over 60 000 sample capacity.
- We offer consultancy and training services on instrument & method verification; flow cytometry and Peripheral Blood mononuclear cell preparation.
Accreditation & Test Validity:
Division of AIDS (DAIDS) certified as a full reference laboratory and ISO 15189 accredited. The Lab has excellent Quality Management Systems and short result turnaround times. Compliance to Good Clinical Laboratory Practice (GCLP) and ISO 15189 is monitored once annually by both DAIDS-appointed auditors and Southern African Development Community Accreditation Service (SADCAS).
The laboratory participates in proficiency testing 2-6times per year provided by:
- The College of American Pathologists (CAP),
- Virology Quality Assurance (VQA),
- Thistle,
- INSTAND,
- Immunology Quality Assessment (IQA),
- TBGxMonitor,
- National Health Laboratory Services (NHLS),
- Microbicides Trials Network (MTN)
- SMART Spot and
- United Kingdom National Quality Assurance System (UKNEQAS)
