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March 24, 2024
In a significant stride towards curbing the spread of tuberculosis (TB), scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery that could revolutionize TB diagnosis. A pioneering study has identified a group of biological markers present in high levels among infectious TB patients, offering hope for the development of a simple blood test capable of identifying millions of individuals unknowingly spreading the disease.
A Global Health Crisis Addressed
TB, the world’s deadliest infectious disease, claims over one million lives annually, with an estimated 10 million cases reported each year, according to data from the World Health Organization (WHO). In a collaborative effort, researchers from the University of Southampton, in partnership with experts worldwide, conducted an extensive analysis of blood markers associated with the bacterial infection, marking the most detailed study of its kind.
Promising Findings Unveiled
Published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation Insight, the study utilized a novel technique to pinpoint a set of six proteins highly accurate in diagnosing TB. Lead author Dr. Hannah Schiff, a respiratory expert at Southampton, emphasized the urgency of improving TB diagnosis, noting that as many as three million cases went undetected last year, particularly in developing nations.
Dr. Schiff stated, “TB remains a global catastrophe due to inadequate testing methods, hindering our efforts to control its spread. Our study’s novel approach identified six new markers of TB disease, offering the potential for a transformative diagnostic test.”
TB: An Ongoing Threat
TB, primarily transmitted through inhaling infected droplets from coughs or sneezes, poses a significant public health challenge worldwide. While the lungs are commonly affected, TB can affect any part of the body. Despite progress, TB cases in the UK surged to approximately 5,000 last year, with projections indicating continued increases in 2024, as reported by the UK Health Security Agency.
Collaborative Efforts Yield Results
The University of Southampton study, conducted in collaboration with experts from the University of Cape Town in South Africa and Cayetano Heredia University in Lima, Peru, marks a milestone in TB research. Funded by the UK Medical Research Council and the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, the investigation identified 118 proteins differing significantly between TB patients and healthy individuals or those with lung infections.
Charting the Path Forward
The study’s co-director, Dr. Diana Garay-Baquero from Southampton, underscored the urgency of translating these findings into practical solutions. Dr. Garay-Baquero emphasized the need to develop TB tests akin to the rapid lateral flow tests utilized during the Covid-19 pandemic, stating, “The discovery of these new markers is truly promising, but our focus now is on translating these findings into accessible tests that can reach millions of individuals at risk of transmitting TB unknowingly.”
Toward Ending the TB Pandemic
As the world commemorates World TB Day on March 24, efforts to combat the global TB pandemic intensify. The study’s findings offer a glimmer of hope in the fight against TB, underscoring the critical role of innovative research in addressing global health challenges.
The groundbreaking study marks a pivotal moment in TB research, offering the promise of a rapid and accessible diagnostic tool to identify and contain TB transmission, ultimately advancing efforts to end the global TB pandemic.
