Tuberculosis is considered as one of the highly contagious diseases worldwide. This new test approved for elimination is called – Expert MTB/RIF Ultra.
This test uses molecular analysis to detect genetic markers of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacterium that causes TB, in the saliva of people with suspected infection.
The trial is the first of its kind to receive “pre-authorization” status from the United Nations Health Organization (WHO). This means that the test has passed rigorous quality testing and can now be purchased by country governments and UN agencies as part of their TB eradication efforts.
“This first ‘pre-approval’ of a tuberculosis treatment is an important milestone,” said WHO Assistant Director-General Dr Yukiko Nakatani.
“This underscores the importance of such unprecedented treatment tools in combating TB, one of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases,” he said.
Quick results
The WHO said that with this test, accurate results can be expected “within hours”.
The UN health agency also said the technology could also detect genetic mutations in victims’ saliva that are linked to resistance to first-line TB drugs, such as rifampicin, when being tested.
The findings will help patients be offered alternative, “second-line” treatments – even if they are more expensive. Notable among these are bedaquiline and fluoroquinolones.
“This test is for patients who are positive for pulmonary tuberculosis and who have not started or have not started anti-tuberculosis treatment for less than six months,” the UN health agency said. medical attention.”
Tuberculosis is one of the world’s leading infectious diseases, causing more than a million deaths each year.
Although the disease is preventable, it is a chronic burden prevalent mainly in low- and middle-income countries.
WHO emphasizes that accurate and early detection of tuberculosis remains an important and challenging global health priority.
“High-quality clinical trials are the cornerstone of effective TB health care and prevention,” said Dr. Rogerio Gaspar, Director of WHO’s Division of Regulation and Pre-authorization.
They say prior approval of such tests paves the way for equitable access to cutting-edge technology for all, helping countries address the dual burden of TB and drug-resistant TB.
WHO is currently evaluating seven additional TB tests in an effort to increase access to quality-assured testing technology for the disease.