Conventional diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) and subsequent monitoring of response to treatment requires culturing of bacteria from sputum samples, which does not always test positive. UC Berkeley investigators have developed an inexpensive serological test platform that provides accurate and rapid results for monitoring tuberculosis treatment response. This could also be used to assess end-point in drug trials. Since antibody response to pathogen is a direct reflection of bacterial burden in a host, the biomarker assay focuses on host response to the infection and treatment, as opposed to the pathogen itself. Compared to a WHO approved PCR based technology Xpert®MTB/RIF (Cepheid) used for the diagnosis of TB, which could be relatively expensive ($17,000/module and $9.98/cartridge), the present invention could provide a competitive and an inexpensive alternative for monitoring TB, especially in developing countries.
Country | Type | Number | Dated | Case |
United States Of America | Issued Patent | 9,835,624 | 12/05/2017 | 2011-107 |
Tuberculosis, HIV, Infectious disease, Antibody assay