TB Blood Test Could Detect Millions of Silent Spreaders

Tuberculosis (TB) is the world's deadliest infectious disease, claiming over one million lives annually as reported by the World Health Organization. TB's transmission occurs through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes, releasing minute droplets that can affect not just the lungs but any body part. The fight against TB's spread is significantly hampered by the current testing methods, which are not only slow but also depend on specialized equipment and laboratory settings. Consequently, nearly three million TB cases went undetected last year, predominantly in developing nations, with a third of infected individuals remaining undiagnosed and, thus, contagious. In a significant development, scientists have advanced towards developing a blood test capable of detecting millions of people who are unknowingly transmitting TB.

In a pioneering study conducted by the University of Southampton (Southampton, UK), researchers have identified a specific group of biological markers present in high levels in individuals who are infectious. This discovery holds the promise of a simple diagnostic test capable of identifying and halting the spread of the disease, which affects an estimated 10 million people each year. Collaborating with international experts, these scientists performed the most detailed examination of blood markers associated with this bacterial infection. Utilizing an innovative approach, they identified six proteins that show a high degree of accuracy in identifying individuals with active TB.

Image: The blood test could identify millions of people who spread TB unknowingly (Photo courtesy of University of Southampton)

The research team analyzed blood proteins from people with active TB located in Africa and South America, comparing these biomarkers against those found in healthy individuals and others with lung infections. They discovered 118 proteins that varied markedly between these groups. From these, they narrowed down to six proteins which they found could be used to effectively differentiate individuals with contagious TB from those who are healthy or have other lung ailments. This breakthrough finding paves the way for the development of a TB test which could be as simple as the lateral flow tests widely used during the recent pandemic.

“In our study, we combined a new measurement technique with deep mathematical analysis to identify these six new markers of TB disease,” said Dr. Hannah Schiff, a respiratory expert at Southampton. “It could lead to a transformative alternative to diagnosing the condition – a simple test that detects proteins in the bloodstream whose levels differ between people with TB, healthy individuals, and those suffering from other respiratory illnesses.”

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University of Southampton