Diagnosing tuberculosis (TB) early can allow patients to receive the medicine they need and also help prevent the disease from spreading. But in resource-limited areas, equipment requirements and long wait times for results are obstacles to diagnosis and treatment. To tackle this problem, scientists report in ACS Sensors the development of a fast, paper-based tuberculosis test that can be read with a smartphone.
The World Health Organization estimates that in 2015, 1.4 million people died from TB, with most of these deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries. Early diagnosis could help curb these numbers. But conventional methods such as sputum smear microscopy, chest X-rays and molecular-based tests require equipment, electricity and specialized personnel that are not always available in remote or developing areas. So Chien-Fu Chen and colleagues set out to come up with a more practical diagnostic test that can be read with a smartphone, a technology that is increasingly available in emerging economies.
The researchers combined gold nanoparticles with single-stranded DNA sequences that bind to the genetic material of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacteria that cause TB. These nanoparticles were then incorporated into a paper-based device. Adding even a minute amount of lab-derived, double-stranded DNA from M. tuberculosis changed the color of the test spots within an hour. A smartphone camera was used to analyze the color change to determine the bacterial concentration. The researchers also tested a tissue sample from an infected patient to further demonstrate that the device could be used in the field.
Learn more: Paper-based tuberculosis test could boost diagnoses in developing countries
The Latest on: Tuberculosis
[google_news title=”” keyword=”tuberculosis” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]- Saltz Mongeluzzi Files Product Liability Suit Alleging Tuberculosis Contracted From FiberCel Bone Graft Implant, Expects Dozens Moreon May 1, 2024 at 1:36 pm
This suit was surfaced by Law.com Radar, ALM's source for immediate alerting on just-filed cases in federal and state courts. Law.com Radar now offers state court coverage nationwide. Sign up today ...
- Tuberculosis Claims 108 Lives in Mizoram in 2023on May 1, 2024 at 11:28 am
Health officials in Mizoram reported on Wednesday that a total of 108 individuals succumbed to tuberculosis (TB) in the state last year. Authorities disclosed that blood samples from 17,432 ...
- African-born bioengineer at UCLA develops new tuberculosis teston May 1, 2024 at 6:32 am
Some 1.3 million people died from tuberculosis in 2022. The disease is fully treatable but relies on timely diagnosis. Mireille Kamariza, a molecular bioengineer from UCLA, has developed a test that ...
- With pandemic over, deadliest infectious disease in world is still tuberculosison May 1, 2024 at 3:02 am
Just a short time after “Gone With the Wind star” Vivien Leigh appeared at Atlanta’s Loews Grand Theatre for the 1939 premiere of the legendary film, the British actress caught tuberculosis on a trip ...
- After steady decline, TB has increased every year since 2020 in U.S.on April 30, 2024 at 5:00 pm
After decreasing for 27 years, the number of U.S. residents with tuberculosis has increased every year since 2020, with 9,615 cases recorded last year in the 50 states and D.C., according to a report ...
- The path to a better tuberculosis vaccine runs through Montanaon April 29, 2024 at 10:20 am
A team of Montana researchers is playing a key role in the development of a more effective vaccine against tuberculosis, an infectious disease that has killed more people than any other.
- Tuberculosis case in Corby school as health bosses begin screening 'close contacts'on April 29, 2024 at 7:36 am
A child at Brooke Weston Academy in Corby has received a diagnosis of tuberculosis. The illness is rarely seen in children in the UK and causes a persistent cough, a high temperature, weight loss, ...
- Harnessing immune enhancement to combat drug-resistant tuberculosison April 28, 2024 at 11:17 am
Experts are working on novel immune-enhancing therapies called host-directed therapies to use the body's own immune system to target tuberculosis, with hopes that they could tackle even the ...
- Enhancing Immunity to Combat Tuberculosison April 27, 2024 at 9:10 am
Researchers explore host-directed therapies, harnessing the body's immune system to combat tuberculosis, including drug-resistant strains.
- Revvity unveils a new era of automated tuberculosis testingon April 26, 2024 at 8:38 am
Revvity, Inc. (NYSE: RVTY) today announced the launch of the Auto-Pure 2400 liquid handler from Allsheng for use with the T-SPOT.TB test. The Auto-Pure 2400 platform is easy to use and designed to ...
via Google News and Bing News