Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Apr 30: A new, low-cost diagnostic tool could significantly improve the detection of tuberculosis (TB), offering hope in the fight against one of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases, which claims over a million lives annually.

For nearly 150 years, TB diagnosis has largely relied on examining phlegm samples under a microscope — a method that experts say is uncomfortable, imprecise and often inaccessible. Medical professionals note that not all patients, especially children and the elderly, can produce phlegm easily, while the test itself misses nearly half of actual TB cases.

Now, a new device called MiniDock MTB, developed by Chinese company Pluslife, promises a faster and more accessible alternative. The test can use either phlegm or a simple tongue swab, which is processed and scanned for TB bacterial DNA, making it easier to administer in diverse healthcare settings.

Experts say the device is both portable and cost-effective, with an estimated price of around $300 and a per-test cost of $3 to $4. Researchers who tested the device across multiple countries in Africa and Asia found that it met World Health Organization standards for accuracy.

Health professionals believe the innovation could help detect TB earlier, enabling quicker treatment and reducing transmission. Delays in diagnosis have long been a challenge, particularly in regions where patients must visit multiple facilities before accessing proper testing.

Despite its promise, experts caution that the new test may not detect TB in its earliest stages when bacterial levels are low. It also cannot differentiate between standard TB and drug-resistant strains, which still require additional testing.

Even so, specialists say the development marks a major step forward in modernising TB diagnostics. With improved accessibility and efficiency, the new tool could help expand testing coverage and strengthen global efforts to control the disease.