Breakthrough in TB diagnosis

Research conducted at the universities of Oxford and Birmingham has resulted in a breakthrough in the diagnosis of Tuberculosis (TB).

Scientists involved in the study claimed that they could isolate different strains of the disease using a process called genome sequencing. If approved, the technique will mean patients suspected of having TB could be diagnosed quickly and receive the appropriate drugs in a shorter time frame, thus having a better chance of recovery.

The news comes as England is still cited as having one of the highest rates of TB in Europe and increasing warnings of drug resistant strains of disease.

Consultant microbiologist Prof Grace Smith said: "We're able to provide information on the species of the organism and the drugs to which it may be resistant if it's TB."

Health secretary Mr Hunt said: "If we can show that using the most modern technology can help reduce the time it takes to identify who has got TB and get them onto a treatment programme, we can move closer to what we all want, which is to eradicate TB from the shores of the country."

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This story was first published in digitalhealth.net

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