Can a New Device Detect TB DNA from Exhaled Air?
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Synopsis
A groundbreaking device has been developed to detect tuberculosis DNA from exhaled air, offering a promising alternative to traditional sputum tests. This innovative approach could revolutionize tuberculosis diagnostics and enhance early detection, especially in challenging cases. Discover how this new method could change the landscape of tuberculosis identification.
Key Takeaways
- New Device: The TB Hotspot detectOR (THOR) collects aerosols for analysis.
- Detection Rate: The method detected TB DNA in 47% of positive sputum cases.
- Higher Sensitivity: Sensitivity increased to 57% in patients with high bacterial levels.
- Specificity: The method correctly identified 77% of individuals without the disease.
- Study Location: Conducted in primary care clinics in South Africa.
New Delhi, Oct 9 (NationPress) Researchers have unveiled an innovative device that could potentially identify tuberculosis DNA from exhaled air, referred to as aerosols.
Tuberculosis is an airborne illness typically diagnosed through the analysis of sputum, which is the mucus expelled from the lungs. However, not every patient can produce sputum, complicating the diagnostic process.
Scientists at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden investigated whether they could detect DNA from the tuberculosis bacterium in exhaled air.
"It is encouraging that we can identify infectious tuberculosis directly from the air, especially in situations where obtaining sputum samples is challenging," stated Jay Achar, a researcher at the Department of Global Public Health at Karolinska Institutet.
The findings, published in Open Forum Infectious Diseases, were based on a study conducted in primary healthcare clinics in South Africa involving 137 adult participants diagnosed with tuberculosis.
The research team utilized a groundbreaking device named TB Hotspot detectOR (THOR), which collects aerosols through electrostatic sampling. The aerosol samples were then analyzed using the same method applied to sputum, known as Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra.
The results indicated that the method successfully detected tuberculosis DNA in exhaled air in 47 percent of participants who had a positive sputum test.
For those exhibiting high bacterial counts in their sputum, the sensitivity of the method increased to 57 percent.
Simultaneously, the specificity, or the accuracy in identifying individuals without the disease, was recorded at 77 percent.
The study also revealed that certain factors enhanced the chances of detecting tuberculosis DNA in aerosols, particularly in men with elevated bacterial levels in sputum. Conversely, individuals with fever were less likely to test positive in air samples.
"This marks a significant first step toward understanding the transmission of tuberculosis and how we can identify infectious individuals sooner," Achar remarked.
Point of View
I believe this advancement in tuberculosis detection could significantly impact public health, especially in regions where traditional diagnostic methods fall short. This innovative approach not only enhances our understanding of TB transmission but also paves the way for earlier identification of infectious individuals, ultimately aiding in the global fight against this airborne disease.
NationPress
23/11/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the new method for detecting TB?
The new method involves a device called TB Hotspot detectOR (THOR) that analyzes aerosols in exhaled air to detect tuberculosis DNA.
How effective is this new TB detection method?
The method detected TB DNA in 47 percent of patients with a positive sputum test and had a specificity of 77 percent.
Where was the study conducted?
The study was conducted at primary care clinics in South Africa with 137 adult participants diagnosed with tuberculosis.
What are the benefits of this new detection method?
This method allows for the detection of TB in patients who cannot provide sputum samples, enhancing diagnostic accuracy and early identification.
Who conducted the research?
The research was conducted by scientists at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden.
