Fast TB test 'major milestone,' WHO says (CBC)

[eppur_se_muova]

A new test to diagnose tuberculosis in poor countries has been endorsed by the World Health Organization.

The Geneva-based agency said Wednesday that the test could "revolutionize" TB care and control by providing an accurate diagnosis in about 100 minutes. Current tests can take up to three months and may miss many cases.

"This new test represents a major milestone for global TB diagnosis and care," said Dr. Mario Raviglione, director of WHO's Stop TB department.

"It also represents new hope for the millions of people who are at the highest risk of TB and drug-resistant disease," he added in a statement.

The new test, made by Cepheid, uses modern DNA technology to check for bacterial genes. It can be done with minimal training by taking a mucus sample, mixing it with chemicals and putting it in an inkjet-like cartridge that goes into a machine.
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Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2010/12/08/tuberculosis-test.html#ixzz17YZwXyjG