Tuberculosis Diagnostics: Innovations in Detecting and Managing a Global Health Threat
Tuberculosis (TB) remains a leading infectious disease worldwide, caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Accurate, timely diagnostics are critical for effective treatment and prevention of transmission. Traditional diagnostic methods include sputum smear microscopy, culture-based testing, and chest X-rays, while modern approaches incorporate molecular testing, nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs), GeneXpert systems, interferon-gamma release assays (IGRAs), and rapid antigen detection.
Advancements in TB diagnostics focus on speed, sensitivity, specificity, and point-of-care testing, enabling detection of drug-resistant strains and latent infections. Emerging technologies include loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), CRISPR-based assays, and AI-assisted imaging for pattern recognition and risk prediction.
Early and accurate TB diagnosis improves treatment outcomes, reduces multidrug-resistant TB prevalence, and prevents community spread. Integration with electronic health records and public health surveillance systems ensures better monitoring, reporting, and intervention strategies. Continued innovation in TB diagnostics remains a global priority, addressing the disease burden in low-resource settings and enhancing global health security.