Study proves strong impact of taking molecular TB diagnostics closer to the people
Urgent call to replace sputum microscopy completely with true point-of-care molecular tests to #FindAllTB
SHOBHA SHUKLA, BOBBY RAMAKANT - CNS
If we are to end TB, we have to find ALL TB, treat all and prevent all TB
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An important scientific study published in The Lancet shows the strong public health impact of deploying molecular diagnostics closer to the people.
This multi-country randomised controlled study shows that if we deploy battery-operated, laboratory independent and true point-of-care molecular test Truenat at the primary healthcare level, then same day test and treat can become a reality. Diagnosing TB early and accurately is a critical pathway towards right treatment as well as stopping the spread of infection.
The study enrolled around 4000 participants in 29 primary healthcare clinics of Tanzania and Mozambique during August 2022 and June 2023. In one study-arm, 2007 participants were accessing primary healthcare clinics equipped with point-of-care molecular test Truenat. In the second study-arm, 1980 people were served by primary healthcare clinics with no molecular test, but their samples were collected and sent to a laboratory with molecular test Gene Xpert (11-16 km away) and their test reports transported back. Both these molecular tests are WHO recommended ones.
Same day test and treat becomes a reality for 4-in-5 TB patients when POC tests deployed
The study found that 97% of TB patients could begin treatment within 7 days when point-of-care Truenat was deployed at the primary care level. But only 63% could do so when samples were sent to a remote lab where Gene Xpert was deployed.
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