information:extraction
Lipoarabinomannan (LAM) detection assays

In 2014, tests based on the detection of mycobacterial lipoarabinomannan (LAM) antigen in urine emerged as point-of-care tests for tuberculosis (TB). LAM antigen is a lipopolysaccharide present in mycobacterial cell walls, which is released from metabolically active or degenerating bacterial cells and appears to be present only in people with active TB disease. Urine-based testing have advantages over sputum-based testing because urine is easy to collect and store, and lacks the infection control risks associated with sputum collection.