Chest Diseases Laboratory-NTRL

01/05/2026

Today, we join celebrating the hardworking professionals whose dedication keeps our laboratory services running efficiently and strengthens the fight against tuberculosis in Zambia. From diagnostics, quality assurance, biosafety, proficiency testing, and surveillance, your efforts are vital to protecting public health.

We proudly recognize the commitment, teamwork, and professionalism of all CDL staff and workers everywhere who continue to make a difference through their service.

27/04/2026

As we continue to celebrate the critical role of medical laboratories in safeguarding public health, the Chest Disease Laboratory (CDL) – National TB Reference Laboratory reaffirms its mandate to strengthen the quality of TB diagnostics across Zambia.
Through the provision and implementation of ISO 17043-proficiency testing (PT) covering GeneXpert and microscopy PTs, CDL ensures that laboratories within the national TB network maintain high standards of accuracy, reliability, and consistency in results.

Quality diagnostics save lives and together, we continue to build a stronger, more reliable laboratory network for Zambia.

24/03/2026

Today, on World Tuberculosis Day, we join the global community in promoting awareness about tuberculosis (TB), a preventable and curable disease that continues to impact millions of people worldwide. As the National TB Reference Laboratory, we remain dedicated to enhancing laboratory systems, ensuring accurate and timely diagnosis, and supporting effective treatment monitoring. Early detection of TB is crucial in interrupting the chain of transmission and improving patient outcomes. Despite progress, TB remains a significant public health challenge. Drug-resistant TB, delayed diagnosis, and stigma continue to impede our efforts. We therefore call upon communities, healthcare workers, and stakeholders to collaborate in promoting testing, adherence to treatment, and infection prevention measures. On this day, we reaffirm our commitment to advancing quality diagnostics, innovation, and collaboration in line with global and national strategies to end TB.

08/03/2026

Today we celebrate the incredible women of CDL on International Women’s Day.

Your dedication, professionalism, and commitment to excellence continue to strengthen our work and impact the communities we serve. Thank you for the vital role you play in advancing healthcare and making a difference every day.

Happy International Women’s Day to all the amazing CDL women!

02/02/2026

We are proud to announce the successful installation and commissioning of a state-of-the-art Negative Pressure Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) Laboratory at the Chest Diseases Laboratory.

This facility enhances our capacity to safely handle and diagnose high-risk pathogens, including Mycobacterium tuberculosis and other airborne infectious agents, while ensuring the highest standards of biosafety and biosecurity.

The BSL-3 laboratory is equipped with advanced ventilation systems, HEPA filtration, and negative pressure containment, ensuring both personnel safety and environmental protection.

This milestone marks a major step toward strengthening national diagnostic capacity, supporting research and surveillance, and improving infectious disease control in Zambia.

21/10/2025

21/10/2025

From 13th to 17th October, a training workshop organized by Lusaka Provincial Health Office ( PHO)on Clinical Tuberculosis and Microscopy was conducted by Chest Diseases Laboratory in collaboration with the UTH TB Laboratory, with funding support from the UTH HIV/AIDS program through Advanced Care and Community Initiative (ACCI). The training brought together participants from Lusaka and Chilanga Districts.

The primary objective of the training was to enhance participants’ knowledge and skills in tuberculosis infection, pathogenesis, and treatment, as well as fluorescence microscopy (FM) using methylene blue as a counterstain. The sessions further covered results reporting, reagent preparation, and an introduction to External Quality Assessment (EQA), which included panel testing of participants.

12/09/2025

Let us take this opportunity to congratulate our CDL team for their outstanding achievement in successfully maintaining the 5-year cycle of SADCAS accreditation. This milestone reflects the team’s unwavering commitment to upholding the highest standards of quality, competence, and reliability in laboratory testing. Accreditation is not only a mark of excellence but also a demonstration of compliance with internationally recognized standards, which strengthens confidence in the results produced and assures stakeholders of the integrity of our work.

In addition to maintaining accreditation, the team has gone a step further by extending the scope to include the Xpert MTB/XDR assay. This advancement is a significant step forward in enhancing our diagnostic capacity, particularly in the detection of drug-resistant tuberculosis. By expanding our testing capabilities, we are positioning ourselves to respond more effectively to public health challenges and to support improved patient management through timely and accurate results.

This dual achievement is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and professionalism of the entire CDL team. It also reinforces our organization’s commitment to continuous improvement, innovation, and excellence in service delivery.

19/08/2025

 (TB) infection is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, primarily affecting the lungs but potentially spreading to other organs. TB is an airborne infectious disease that spreads when a person with active TB coughs, sneezes, talks, or sings, releasing tiny droplets containing the bacteria into the air, which others can inhale.

of TB Infection
1. Primary TB infection: This is the initial stage after exposure. The immune system attempts to capture and destroy the bacteria. Most people do not show symptoms at this stage, though some may experience mild flu-like symptoms such as low fever, tiredness, or cough.
2. Latent TB infection: If the immune system contains the bacteria but does not eliminate them, the bacteria remain dormant within the body without causing symptoms or spreading to others. This stage is asymptomatic, and people with latent TB are not contagious. However, the bacteria can become active later, especially if the immune system weakens.
3. Active TB disease: This occurs when the immune system fails to control the bacteria, allowing them to multiply and cause illness. Active TB usually develops gradually and can cause symptoms such as a persistent cough (sometimes with blood), chest pain, fever, night sweats, fatigue, weight loss, and loss of appetite. People with active TB are contagious and can spread the disease to others.

and Risk Factors
• TB spreads primarily through prolonged close contact with someone who has active lung TB.
• People with latent TB do not spread the infection.
• Risk factors for developing active TB include weakened immune systems (e.g., HIV/AIDS, diabetes), malnutrition, to***co use, alcohol abuse, living in crowded or poorly ventilated conditions, and young age (under 5 years).

and Treatment
• TB infection is diagnosed through microscopic examination of body fluids eg sputum for respiratory TB and molecular techniques for detection of mycobacterial DNA or blood tests (interferon-gamma release assays).
• Active TB requires treatment with multiple antibiotics over several months to fully eradicate the bacteria.
• Adherence to the full course of treatment is crucial to prevent drug resistance and relapse.


• The Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine is used in many countries to protect children from severe forms of TB.
• Preventive treatment may be offered to people with latent TB who are at high risk of developing active disease.
• Early detection and treatment of active cases, along with screening of high-risk groups, are key strategies to control TB spread.solr