Blood test allows for rapid TB diagnosis

Tuberculosis (TB) can now be identified in less than an hour thanks to a new blood test. The test procedure -- developed by The University of Queensland's Emeritus Professor Ian Riley in collaboration with researchers in Tanzania, India, Mexico and the Philippines -- is hoped to positively impact TB diagnosis in adults living in remote areas. "TB has been difficult to control because its symptoms are similar to many other diseases," Prof Riley said. "Other challenges include drug resistance to the disease and the high burden of HIV-positive cases in developing countries." Prof Riley explained that the discovery of the testing procedure came from using machine learning techniques to study three groups of adults who had a persistent cough for more than three weeks.