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Reported April 7, 2003

New Test for TB

OXFORD, England (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Researchers from the University of Oxford say the conventional skin-prick test used for detecting tuberculosis may soon be obsolete.

A recent study shows a simple blood test, known as ELISPOT, could identify TB more accurately. TB infection induces a strong response by immune cells in the blood called T-cells. The ELISPOT test works by detecting these T-cells.

The current skin test takes three to seven days before it can be read and often gives false-positive readings. The new blood test gives quicker results and fewer false-positives.

ELISPOT also makes it easier for doctors to screen people who have been in contact with infectious TB sufferers. In the study, children who were exposed to someone with full-blown TB were much more likely to test positive with the blood test than with the skin test.

Early detection is essential for controlling and preventing TB. Researchers believe the new blood test will revolutionize the way doctors diagnose the disease.

Ajit Lalvani, from the University of Oxford, is quoted as saying, “Improvements in the early diagnosis of TB infection will enable more people to be treated while their infection is still dormant, thus preventing them from developing full-blown TB which is highly infectious to others.”

More than 25,000 people in the United States contract TB each year. In most instances, this disease can be cured with proper medical attention.

This article was reported by Ivanhoe.com, who offers Medical Alerts by e-mail every day of the week. To subscribe, go to: http://www.ivanhoe.com/newsalert/.

SOURCE: The Lancet, 2003;361:1168-1173

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