United Kingdom–East and Southern Africa Partnership at the Forefront of Developing the First Ever Test that Measures Patient Tuberculosis Burden in Hours

Abstract

Mycobacterium tuberculosis has caused
tuberculosis (TB) in humans for at least 3 millennia, but the disease
has evaded eradication efforts by all human civilisations despite
promising technological advancements. The World Health Organization
(WHO) has set a target of ending the TB epidemic by 2035. Going by the
current rate of progress, it is estimated that it will take another 160
years to realise the WHO End TB Strategy’s target. Accelerating the
eradication of TB will require effective tools for diagnosis, vaccines
and medicines to treat the disease, and efficient implementation
thereof. This presents a great opportunity for innovators in East Africa
and the world over to chip in and develop the best technologies to end
TB. With funding from the European and Developing Countries Clinical
Trials Partnership (EDCTP), partnerships between the UK-based University
of St Andrews and research institutions in East and Southern Africa have
led to the development of the first ever test – the molecular bacterial
load assay (MBLA) – that measures the number of TB bacteria in a patient
and reveals if this number is declining as a patient progresses on
treatment. Initial assay results are available within 4 hours. Real-time
knowledge of patient mycobacterial burden and the effectiveness of
prescribed medications are crucial for timely clinical decisions on
patient management.