New WHO-Endorsed Test Targets Drug-Resistant TB
By Gift Briton
The World Health Organization (WHO) has endorsed a new test for tuberculosis (TB) that uses molecular analysis to detect the genetic markers of the bacterium that causes the disease in the saliva of people suspected of infection.
Known as Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra, the test offers hope for faster and more accurate diagnosis and is anticipated to play a transformative role in global efforts to eradicate TB. The WHO states that the product is ready for government and United Nations agencies to purchase.
“High-quality diagnostic tests are the cornerstone of effective TB care and prevention. Prequalification paves the way for equitable access to cutting-edge technologies, empowering countries to address the dual burden of TB and drug-resistant TB,” said Dr Rogerio Gaspar, WHO Director for Regulation and Prequalification.
Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra can provide accurate results within hours and simultaneously detects genetic mutations linked to drug resistance. This technology will enable doctors to quickly identify resistance to first-line drugs like rifampicin and offer patients alternative treatment.
WHO specifies that the test is intended for patients who screen positive for pulmonary TB and have either not started anti-tuberculosis treatment or received less than three days of therapy in the past six months.
TB is one of the world’s leading infectious disease killers, causing over a million deaths annually. The preventable disease is a chronic burden for sufferers who live mainly in low and middle-income countries. According to WHO, accurate and early detection of TB, especially drug-resistant strains, remains a critical and challenging global health priority.
“This first prequalification of a diagnostic test for tuberculosis marks a critical milestone. It underscores the importance of such groundbreaking diagnostic tools in addressing one of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases,” said Dr Yukiko Nakatani, WHO Assistant Director-General for Access to Medicines and Health Products.