Rapid low-cost diagnosis within reach for tuberculosis 'missed millions,' researchers find
These findings were generated by the largest-ever study of "pooled" tuberculosis (TB) testing, carried out by Start4All, a partnership led by LSTM with the Stop TB Partnership and research partners in seven countries with a high TB burden.
A massive global study conducted by Start4All, a partnership involving LSTM and other organizations, has revealed that pooled sputum testing for tuberculosis could significantly improve access to accurate, rapid, and low-cost diagnostics. Published in The Lancet Global Health, the study demonstrated that pooled testing halves the number of cartridges needed for successful diagnoses, cutting costs by over 50%.
While sensitivity drops slightly in low-bacterial-load samples, the technique could rapidly diagnose thousands more TB cases worldwide. The findings directly informed WHO guidelines recommending pooled testing for adolescents and adults in resource-constrained settings. This approach uses existing laboratory equipment, enabling healthcare professionals and national TB programs to expand access to molecular TB testing in communities worldwide.
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