UK researchers said they are developing a commercial test that could enable sensitive detection of tuberculosis DNA in blood and provide an option to broaden screening.
The program started in 2014, originally to increase access to HIV diagnostics, and provides special pricing to qualifying organizations in eligible countries.
Rapid Biosensor Systems said its point-of-care pre-production breath system has achieved high performance during TB field testing in Ethiopia and India.
The anticipated shortage for clinics comes at a time when more clinicians are already switching to lab-based IGRA testing, diagnostic industry executives said.
Oxford Immunotec said that it expects the report to further the trend toward interferon-gamma release assay adoption for healthcare personnel screening.
Based on PCR technology acquired from Hain Diagnostics, the test and platform enable rapid detection of TB, as well as assessment of antibiotic resistance.
