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United StatesDiagnostic Kits For Rapid Detection Of Multi-Drug Resistant Tuberculosis
The current emergence of Multi-Drug Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is of growing concern for public health authorities in many countries. Addressing this issue, the State Research Center for Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology (SRCAMB) in Obolensk, RF has been funded by an ISTC governmental Partner, the US Department of Health and Human Services Biotechnology Engagement Program, to develop a rapid test kit for identification of TB drug resistance against the four most commonly used antibiotics. Unlike other methods requiring special equipment and highly skilled personnel, this test, developed within Project #2748, can be run at any sanitary station, including in rural areas. Moreover, it saves about two weeks of precious time necessary to prescribe the appropriate treatment according to the classical procedure. About one million MDR-TB tests per year are needed in Russia alone, according to current estimates. Therefore, this work is closely coordinated with Federal Service for Surveillance in Consumer Rights Protection and Human Well-being (Rospotrebnadzor), which is responsible for a broad range of public health issues in Russia. The institute is now preparing a request to ISTC and interested Partners for commercialization support to upgrade the production facility to cover the demands of the Russian market and Russian public health authorities.
Outcome: The development of a rapid test kit for identification of TB drug resistance that can be used in remote rural areas