New Breakthrough TB Test Works Without Phlegm, Could Transform Diagnosis Globally
A new tuberculosis test called MiniDock MTB can diagnose TB using just a tongue swab instead of phlegm samples, making testing faster, cheaper, and more accessible worldwide. The test costs only $3-4 per use and meets WHO accuracy standards, potentially helping millions of people get diagnosed earlier.
Breakthrough TB Testing Technology
The MiniDock MTB works by taking a sample of someone's phlegm or — if the patient is unable to produce phlegm — a mere tongue swab, heating and spinning it down, and then machine scanning it for DNA from the TB bacteria. It's faster than conventional tests and is portable, allowing health workers to use it in a wider variety of settings.
Cost and Accessibility
The device itself costs $300, and the fee per test is $3 to $4. It's more affordable, it's more accessible and it's more accurate, according to a new study that was published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Clinical Trial Success
The researchers enrolled almost 1,400 patients with TB symptoms at health centers across seven countries in Africa and Asia, and their results revealed that the new test was easy to use and met the World Health Organization's targets for accuracy, using either phlegm or the tongue swab.
Global Health Impact
Researchers hope it means that many more people will have access to high-quality TB testing. That would help get people the care they urgently need while simultaneously reducing transmission of the bacterial disease. To have this low-cost option is expected to really help countries scale up.