New XDR-TB test for SA

Last updated: Friday, June 06, 2008 Print A new test for extreme drug resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB) to be launched in South Africa next month is expected to reduce the cost of testing for the disease, the health minister announced.

"This is very exciting news as it will both reduce the time it takes to screen sputa for drug resistant TB from six to eight weeks, to about a week, and will also lower the cost of such tests," Manto Tshabalala-Msimang said during her budget speech in the National Assembly.

The new tests were also far more accurate than current methods. "This new method has been piloted in our public health sector laboratories in South Africa.

"This is a great innovation which makes a major contribution to the diagnosis of drug resistant TB," she said. – (Sapa)

June 2008

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