WHO: Approval of a new 'important test' to detect TB

Tuberculosis is considered one of the highly infectious diseases worldwide. The name of this new test approved for its eradication is – Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra. This test uses molecular analysis to detect genetic markers of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacterium that causes TB, in the saliva of people with suspected infection. Is. This test is the first such test to receive “pre-approval” status from the United Nations Health Agency (WHO). This means the test has passed rigorous quality checks and can now be purchased by country governments and UN agencies as part of their TB eradication efforts, said Dr Yukiko Nakatani, WHO's Assistant Director-General. “This is an important milestone in the first “pre-approval” treatment trial for TB,” he said, adding, “This highlights the importance of such unprecedented treatment tools in tackling TB, one of the world's deadliest infectious diseases.” "Quick results" WHO says that with the help of this test, accurate results can be expected "within a few hours". The UN health agency also said the technology could also identify genetic mutations in victims' saliva that are linked to resistance to first-line TB drugs, such as Rifampicin, while the test is being performed. The results will help doctors provide patients with alternative, "second-line" treatments – even though they are more expensive. Bedaquiline and Fluoroquinolones are prominent among them. The United Nations Health Agency said, "This test is actually for those patients who are found infected with pulmonary tuberculosis and who either have not started anti-tuberculosis treatment or have taken it in the past." received less than three days of treatment in six months."Tuberculosis is one of the world's leading infectious diseases, causing more than one million deaths each year. However, The disease is preventable, but the disease is a chronic burden that occurs primarily in low- and middle-income countries. WHO stressed that accurate and early detection of TB is an important and challenging remains a global health priority. “High-quality clinical trials are the cornerstone of effective TB health care and prevention,” says Dr. Rogério Gaspar, director of WHO's Department of Regulation and Pre-approval. With prior approval of tests, This paves the way for equitable access for all to cutting-edge technologies, helping countries tackle the dual burden of TB and drug-resistant TB. WHO is currently working to increase access to quality-assured testing technology for the disease. In the effort, seven additional TB tests are being evaluated.


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