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LATEST NEWS UPDATES | Soon, breath test to tell tuberculosis in just 6 minutes-Malathy Iyer

Soon, breath test to tell tuberculosis in just 6 minutes-Malathy Iyer

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published Published on Jun 3, 2012   modified Modified on Jun 3, 2012

A breath test to detect the deadly tuberculosis (TB) bacteria in six minutes flat has been developed in the US, with help from experts in Mumbai. Doctors from Hinduja Hospital in Mahim and the state-run JJ Hospital in Byculla have helped validate the prototype for the point-of-breath test, according to an article published in medical journal 'Tuberculosis' recently. 

The test could emerge as the quickest way to screen a patient for lung or pulmonary TB. "For years, researchers have grappled with a genuine point-of-care test for TB —one which can answer the question of TB or no TB before the patient leaves the clinic. This test is one which has the potential to do this,'' said Dr Zarir Udwadia from Hinduja Hospital who, along with JJ Hospital's N N Ramraje, is one of the co-authors of the 'Tuberculosis' article. 

It works on the principle that every TB bacillus produces volatile organic compound. "The breath test detects these volatile organic compounds," Dr Michael Phillips, developer of the test and CEO of Menssana Research Inc, stated in a press release. 

His team tested 279 patients from four centres—Hinduja and J J Hospitals in the city and two hospitals in the Philippines and England. "The breath test was 84% accurate in detecting patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis," said Dr Phillips. Work is now on to fine-tune the test. Experts feel that patients will prefer the breath test to X-rays or blood or sputum tests because it's quick, painless, safe and may even be less expensive. 

At present, the final diagnosis of TB takes weeks if not months, especially if the patient has the multi-drug resistance variety. The breath test could help in quicker diagnosis of TB in India where at least 1,000 people die each day of the disease. 

"I am cautiously hopeful about the good performance of the test even in our difficult Indian conditions,'' said Dr Zarir Udwadia. 

However, doctors say the breath test cannot replace the sputum test, which remains the gold standard. "But not all patients with TB produce sputum (especially children). In these patient populations, the breath test could prove very useful,'' Dr Udwadia said. 

Test made easy 

The test: Point-of-care breath test for lung or pulmonary TB 

Patient breathes into a tube for a couple of minutes, the result will be out in 6 minutes 

It works on the principle that TB bacilli manufactures certain volatile organic compounds that can be detectable in the breath of infected people 


The Times of India, 3 June, 2012, http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Soon-breath-test-to-tell-tuberculosis-in-just-6-minutes/articleshow/13752061.cms


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