The World Health Organisation (WHO) has endorsed a new test for tuberculosis (TB) to fasten efforts to eradicate one of the deadliest and dangerous infectious disease.
The test is called Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra and uses analysis of molecules to detect genetic markers and presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacteria that causes TB, in the saliva of people suspected to be infected by the disease, according to the United Nations.
The new test is the first to receive endorsement from the UN health agency earning the “prequalification status” meaning that it has passed the stringent quality checks.
“This first prequalification of a diagnostic test for tuberculosis marks a critical milestone,” said WHO Assistant Director-General for Access to Medicines and Health Products Dr Yukiko Nakatani.
“It underscores the importance of such groundbreaking diagnostic tools in addressing one of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases,” he added.
The global health body added that accurate results from the test can be expected “within hours” and while the test is running, it can also detect genetic mutations from the saliva of the people who resist first-line TB drugs such as rifampicin.
This advancement can help doctors in prescribing “second-line” treatments to the sufferers.
“It is intended for patients who screen positive for pulmonary tuberculosis and who have either not started anti-tuberculosis treatment or received less than three days of therapy in the past six months,” the UN health agency said.
Tuberculosis remains one of the world’s leading fatal diseases, resulting in over a million deaths annually.
“High-quality diagnostic tests are the cornerstone of effective TB care and prevention,” said WHO Director for Regulation and Prequalification Dr Rogerio Gaspar.
“Prequalification paves the way for equitable access to cutting-edge technologies, empowering countries to address the dual burden of TB and drug-resistant TB,” he added.
Moreover, seven more TB tests are in the assessment status by WHO as the organisation aims to expand access to quality-assured testing technology for the disease.
