A new test involving genes may improve TB diagnosis rates among children, according to a study in southern Africa funded by the European Union and the Wellcome Trust. In the past, diagnosis of TB among children has proved challenging, especially among those who are malnourished and those with human immunodeficiency syndrome. As a result, many children go undiagnosed much longer than they should.
Researchers studied a group of around 3,000 children in Malawi, Kenya and South Africa who were suspected of having TB, identifying a number of genes that could distinguish TB from other conditions. As a result they were able to accurately identify about 80% of children both with and without TB.
A patent application has now been filed for the test. Find out more from SciDevNet
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