Cheaper Liquid Culture Tests Accelerate Battle Against MDR-TB

The reduced cost of liquid culture testing will help the implementation of new diagnostic tools for poverty-related diseases.

TB diagnostic technologies utilize liquid culture, a key standard-of-care TB testing protocol that provides results far faster than traditional, solid media culture. The liquid culture test is particularly effective for stemming the spread of multi-drug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) and extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB) in emerging countries.

Becton, Dickerson and Co. (BD; Seattle, WA, USA), a global medical technology company, and the Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND; Geneva, Switzerland) have significantly reduced the cost of liquid culture testing. The agreement between BD and FIND lowers the cost of the BD MGIT system reagents. The price reduction arose from a November 2007 agreement between BD and FIND.

At that time, BD agreed to reduce already below-market prices upon the completion of three-and-a-half million tests, a milestone achieved in June 2009. The lower prices will enable more tests to be administered in 39 high-burden countries, as identified by the World Health Organization (WHO; Geneva, Switzerland).

Krista Thompson, vice president and general manager, Global Health, BD commented, "With an emphasis on accessibility, affordability, and sustainability, BD provides on-the-ground technical assistance, training, and products that maximize the capacity to diagnose TB, including drug-resistant strains, in nations where the disease is most prevalent.

Related Links:
Becton, Dickerson and Co.
Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics
World Health Organization