ADLM 2026: Blood Test Could Reduce TB Spread
A pathogen-derived blood test could help laboratories identify active tuberculosis when sputum samples are unavailable or delayed
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A blood test measuring the ESAT-6 protein could help identify active pulmonary tuberculosis in patients unable to produce sputum.
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Sputum-based testing is the standard for TB diagnosis, but collecting samples can be challenging, delaying treatment.
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The study included 217 participants and found that blood ESAT-6 levels effectively distinguished active TB from other conditions.
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ESAT-6 is produced by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, making it a specific indicator of active infection rather than prior exposure.
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The authors plan a prospective clinical study to evaluate the assay's performance in routine practice before broader use.
