Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Yvette Naudé, Manager and NRF-rated researcher: Chromatography Mass Spectrometry – University of Pretoria and UP Institute for Sustainable Malaria Control (UP-ISMC), University of Pretoria
Published on 2024-03-27 16:13:22
Detecting tuberculosis early is crucial in the fight against the world’s deadliest infectious disease. According to the World Health Organization, 1.5 million people die from tuberculosis each year. Unfortunately, many cases of tuberculosis go undiagnosed, leading to further spread of the disease. This highlights the importance of improving screening and diagnosis methods to eradicate this curable disease.
Traditional diagnostic methods for tuberculosis, such as the sputum smear test, are outdated and slow. While GeneXpert technology can detect the disease in just an hour, it is expensive and not easily accessible in remote areas where tuberculosis is most prevalent. These challenges underscore the need for more efficient and affordable diagnostic approaches.
One emerging method of diagnosing tuberculosis is through detecting chemical signatures on the skin. Our team at the University of Pretoria developed a patch that could identify specific chemicals associated with tuberculosis. By distinguishing between TB-positive and TB-negative individuals, we were able to demonstrate the potential of this innovative approach.
Our research builds on previous studies that explored using chemical signatures to detect diseases. For example, we initially investigated the differences in skin chemistry between individuals who were attractive to mosquitoes and those who were not. This led us to develop a method using silicone rubber samplers to test for chemical variances on the skin surface.
By attaching skin patches equipped with silicone rubber bands to individuals at various hospitals, we were able to detect 27 compounds associated with tuberculosis. This non-invasive and easy-to-administer test shows promise as a cost-effective screening tool for tuberculosis, particularly in rural and remote areas where access to traditional diagnostic methods is limited.
The implications of this breakthrough extend beyond tuberculosis detection and could potentially be applied to other diseases like malaria. As we continue to refine our research, the skin test for tuberculosis offers a promising solution in the global effort to combat infectious diseases.
*Portia Makhubela and Egmont Rohwer co-authored the research discussed in this article.
