Recent news
August 2011
Faster TB test under development, researchers say
August 5, 2011 --Scientists at the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) in India are working on a new tool that can diagnose tuberculosis (TB) using a fast, inexpensive urine test. The test—reported on in the American Chemical Society (ACS) journal Analytical Chemistry—can also be used to monitor the effectiveness of TB treatment.
Currently, healthcare workers diagnose the disease by identifying the TB bacterium in sputum or blood samples. These tests tend to be time-consuming, sometimes taking days or weeks to give results. Current tests also require the use of specially-trained personnel or expensive equipment that might not be available in some areas. The researchers believe that this new test could help overcome several of these challenges.
In related news, UNITAID recently released a document that surveys the current landscape on TB diagnostics development. According to the document, there is a great need to accelerate the development of new TB diagnostic technologies, as well as to support the research pipeline to increase quality, competition, and choice. See the links below for more information.
