The Pacific TB Laboratory Initiative (PATLAB) was established following the Second Stop TB Meeting in Noumea, 2004.  It represents a collaborative partnership between Pacific Island countries and territories (PICTs), mainland reference laboratories, Pacific TB reference laboratories (PTRLs), and is co-ordinated by the Stop TB Unit, Western Pacific Regional Office (WPRO) of WHO, on behalf of WHO-WPRO, the Secretariat of the Pacific Community, and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The primary objectives of PATLAB are:
(i)    to improve the quality of sputum microscopy by application of external quality assessment, and
(ii)   to expand surveillance for TB drug resistance.

The key element in fulfilling the PATLAB objectives is the Pacific TB reference laboratory network – a network of five laboratories in Australia (Adelaide, Brisbane), New Zealand (Wellington, Auckland), and USA (Honolulu).

Table: The PATLAB network: Pacific Island countries and territories, their respective Pacific TB Reference Laboratories and roles of the laboratories

DLS = Diagnostic Laboratory Services, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
IMVS = Institute of Medical and Veterinary Sciences, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
LabPLUS, Auckland, New Zealand
*PPTC = Pacific Paramedical Training College, Wellington, New Zealand
(Note: PPTC is a training centre and not a laboratory)
QMRL=Queensland Mycobacterium Reference Laboratory, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

The published PATLAB reports are posted under the publications section of this site