British scientists in world-first TB breakthrough
http://www.bbc.com/news/health-39376641
British scientists in world-first TB breakthrough
5 hours ago
From the section Health
British scientists have made a world-first breakthrough in the diagnosis of tuberculosis. Researchers in Oxford and Birmingham say they can isolate different strains of the disease using a process called genome sequencing. It means patients who may have waited months to get the right drugs can now be diagnosed in just a few days - so they have a greater chance of recovery.
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The scientists who made the discovery say genome sequencing allows them to identify the DNA of different samples in little more than a week. Speedy diagnosis means patients can begin their recovery much quicker and also reduces the chances of the infection being spread.
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The breakthrough comes after experts warned that a rise in drug-resistant strains of TB was threatening to derail efforts to eradicate the disease. A new study found one in five global cases of the disease is now resistant to at least one major treatment drug.
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