Shanthiya Akeesan, a Specialist Biomedical Scientist at Epsom and St Helier delivered a highly successful booth presentation on latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) screening at ESCMID Global 2026 in Munich, Germany.
The presentation, titled ‘Evaluation of a fully automated second-generation interferon-gamma release assay for latent tuberculosis infection: diagnostic performance and clinical implications’, showcased Shanthiya’s research into a new, more efficient assay for LTBI screening.
Key findings from the research
Shanthiya and her team evaluated the second-generation LIAISON assay using clinical samples collected from:
secondary and tertiary care hospitals
primary care services
prison services across south west London.
The results were impressive:
100% positive percent agreement and 99.5% negative percent agreement with the first-generation assay
higher throughput – 42 samples/hour (up from 24)
faster time to first result – 32 minutes (down from 43)
These improvements mean the new assay can support LTBI screening programmes more effectively, aiding both clinical and public health decision-making.
An inspiring experience
Reflecting on the event, Shanthiya said: “Attending ESCMID Global 2026 was an incredible and inspiring experience. It was truly overwhelming to see so many companies showcasing their latest technologies and innovations all in one place. Presenting allowed me to share my work with a global audience and engage in meaningful discussions. It was a memorable experience that will have a lasting impact on my professional growth.”
What’s next?
Shanthiya’s work is already making waves closer to home. The implementation of the second-generation LIAISON assay will strengthen LTBI screening across wouth west London. Look out for further updates, including social media coverage.
Well done, Shanthiya!