Operational modeling for testing diagnostic tools impact on tuberculosis diagnostic cascade: A model design

摘要

Line Probe Assay (LPA) is a rapid molecular technique used for the diagnosis of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis (MTB) presence and resistance to first-line drugs such as Rifampicin and Isoniazid. The study presented here is part of an initiative of the Brazilian Tuberculosis Network (REDE-TB) researchers, together with the National Brazilian Tuberculosis Control Program from Health Ministry for the development of mechanisms that improve the clinical and epidemiological impact of LPA use in reference centers in Brazil. Here we use the operational model concept to see sharply the whole flow of processes in order to evaluate diagnostics cascades. Based on that, first, we developed a design of tuberculosis system operations in discrete-time based model, then we made a description of an agent-based transmission model developed to be incorporated to the operational design. After the implementation of the design, we can make a prediction that directly influences the choice of the most appropriate intervention and consequently the result of the cost-effectiveness analysis, translated by the feasibility of the chosen test to future works.