New Delhi, Sep 17
From the currently used sputum testing, soon tuberculosis screening can be done via a simple tongue swab, according to a study.
The potential breakthrough using an enhanced CRISPR-based technology could allow easier, community-based screenings for the world's deadliest infectious disease, said researchers from Tulane University in the US.
Lead author Zhen Huang, an assistant professor at Tulane's School of Medicine, said developing a viable tuberculosis tongue swab test could transform testing in low-resource communities.
"Tongue swabs are painless, easy to collect, and don't require trained medical staff," Huang said. "That opens the door to large-scale screenings."
Current TB tests rely on sputum; mucus collected from the lungs and lower respiratory system.
Collecting sputum is not only difficult but is also unfeasible in about 25 per cent of symptomatic cases and nearly 90 per cent of asymptomatic cases -- a gap which contributes to an estimated 4 million tuberculosis cases going undiagnosed annually.
The study, published in the journal Nature Communications, worked to address that gap by refining a previously developed CRISPR-based assay to better detect TB in samples with very low levels of bacteria, such as stool, spinal fluid, and tongue swabs.
The new CRISPR method, called the ActCRISPR-TB, increased amplification and detection of genetic signals from TB bacteria DNA and offered a rapid, streamlined approach that can return a diagnosis in under an hour.
Clinical testing showed markedly enhanced detection of TB in tongue swabs over traditional testing (74 per cent compared to 56 per cent).
The test also showed high sensitivity in detecting TB in respiratory (93 per cent), pediatric stool (83 per cent), and adult spinal fluid samples (93 per cent).
With children, HIV patients, and those with extrapulmonary TB unable to produce sputum, the research marks a significant step forward toward offering effective diagnoses via a variety of samples.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Finally some good medical innovation! TB is such a big problem in our country, especially in crowded cities. If this test costs less and is easier to administer, it could save thousands of lives. Government should fast-track this technology.
The 74% detection rate compared to 56% with traditional methods is impressive, but I hope they can improve it further. Still, this could be a game-changer for early detection in communities where healthcare access is limited.
As someone working in public health in India, I can see how this would revolutionize TB screening campaigns. No more awkward sputum collection - just a simple swab. This could dramatically increase participation in screening programs.
The part about children and HIV patients benefiting most is crucial. So many vulnerable people struggle with current testing methods. Hope Indian medical research institutions collaborate on bringing this technology here soon.
While the technology sounds promising, I hope the cost will be affordable for mass adoption in developing countries. Sometimes these advanced tests remain too expensive for the people who need them most.
Under one hour for results? That's incredible! Current tests take days. This could help contain outbreaks much faster. Our government should invest in manufacturing this technology locally to make
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.