Background

Current methods for TB diagnosis are either expensive and requires a stable electricity supply or are slow an inaccurate. There is therefore an urgent need for user‑friendly, rapid, inexpensive yet accurate TB diagnostic tools, particularly in resource limited settings in high burden countries.

Researchers at Stellenbosch University has developed a portfolio of diagnostic markers for patients with pulmonary TB, or for children with suspected TB meningitis. The biomarkers can be readily incorporated into low‑cost lateral‑flow based tests for rapid (15‑20mins) diagnosis of the disease at the point of care (POC).