🚨 Satellite session at #UnionConf2025!
“Transforming TB detection with tongue swab-based molecular testing”
🗓️ Nov 19 | 8–9AM | Copenhagen

Beyond sputum: tongue swabs + near-POC molecular tools.

unionconf2025.abstractserver.com/programme/#/...

#TB #GlobalHealth #Diagnostics

Can a smartphone-recorded cough help detect #TB? The CODA TB DREAM Challenge shows promise: AI + clinical data reached 73.8% specificity at 80% sensitivity across 7 countries. Read more: academic.oup.com/ofid/advance...

New Lancet study in Philippines, Vietnam, South Africa, Uganda & India:

People tested for #TB prioritize diagnostics that are
• Low-cost
• Accurate
• Deliver results in 15 minutes

Findings show need to align WHO TPPs with patient preferences.
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...

We need new biomarkers to improve TB diagnosis in children. In the COMBO study, we performed a comprehensive plasma proteomic analysis across 4 countries and found several protein signatures that met the WHO target accuracy for a TB screening test: www.nature.com/articles/s41...

#tbsky #idsky

Can digital adherence tools improve #TB care at scale? We evaluated 99DOTS in Uganda during national scale-up. High uptake (87%), no harm to outcomes, but equity in access remains key. Read more: www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1... #tuberculosis

New @cochranecollab reviews: combining TB tests for children and people living with HIV can boost sensitivity and could be beneficial in high burden settings, data for new #WHO recommendations
Full reviews: bit.ly/45nlHCz and bit.ly/4laK2QH
#TB #HIV #ChildHealth #GlobalHealth #EndTB

Big news: @WHO approves 6 CAD tools for TB detection on chest X-rays—boosting case finding in high-burden settings. Proud that #R2D2_TBnetwork data contributed to the report. #EndTB #DigitalHealth #TBscreening #GlobalHealth
createsend.com/t/d-F03FD74C...

Our new multi-country study evaluates swab-based molecular tests for #TB, showing strong accuracy using both sputum and tongue swabs. Near point-of-care platforms like MTB Ultima and MiniDock MTB could help enable universal molecular testing. www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1...

In our study of 2,904 adults with #TB symptoms across five high TB-burden countries, CRP-based screening had 84% sensitivity and 61% specificity. Though CRP didn’t meet minimum diagnostic targets overall, its accuracy varied by setting and subgroup. www.atsjournals.org/doi/10.1164/...

Our study compared Uganda’s #TB treatment decision algorithm for children with the WHO's. We found these TDAs can help diagnose more TB cases, but could also lead to overtreatment. Better tests are needed to confirm TB in children. dx.plos.org/10.1371/jour...
#Tuberculosis #ChildHealth #Uganda #WHO

Despite being preventable, #TB affects thousands in the US. A major barrier to TB elimination is the lack of Medicare coverage for TB infection screening and testing. Our team describes how this policy gap affects US TB elimination efforts. rdcu.be/efcBa #TBPrevention #Medicare #CTB

California's health equity-driven approach during #COVID-19, using the Healthy Places Index, provided key insights into addressing disparities in testing, cases, and mortality. Learn how the state used data to guide policy and prioritize vulnerable communities: dx.plos.org/10.1371/jour...

A study in Uganda among people living with HIV found newer short-course regimens could drive #tuberculosis preventive treatment acceptance from high to nearly universal. #TB www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1...

Our study in Uganda explores how social factors affect #TB diagnosis completion. Barriers like stigma, financial constraints, and limited support were identified. Integrating social and economic supports with clinical care is key. Read more: rdcu.be/edUmz

#Tuberculosis

Social protection boosts TB treatment success! Our team's new study found that those receiving support had 2.23x higher odds of success. Read more: www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1... #TB #HealthEquity #SocialProtection #GlobalHealth